Mindanao bets prevail in PCA Open juniors

MANILA, Philippines - Mindanao bets Minette April Bentillo and Prince Najeeb Langitao made their presence felt yesterday in the 33rd Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open in the PCA indoor clay courts in Paco, Manila.

Bentillo, a Sultan Kudarat native, outclassed Andre Garcia, 4-0, 4-0, while Langitao, pride of Marawi City, defeated Juan Rafael Mendoza, 4-1, 4-1, and advanced to the next round in the 10-under unisex division.

Bentillo is set to meet Joaquin de Leon, who also notched an impressive 4-0, 4-0 win over April Chrislie Bautista in the second round. Langitao, on the other hand, will battle Christine Bautista, who squeaked past Mim Burahan, 5-3, 4-2.

Joining them in the next round are James Cruz, Jude Hidalgo, Shant Raven Naguit, Pete Andre Rodriguez and Sherwin Naguit.

Cruz prevailed over Brent So, 4-0, 4-2; Hidalgo trounced Joshua Diva, 4-2, 4-0; Shant Naguit made short work of Hailey Ella Agustin, 4-0, 4-2; Rodriguez won over Samantha Rodriguez, 4-2, 4-1; and Naguit routed Madhena Raquim, 4-0, 4-2.

In the boys’ 14-under, John Alexander Bulilan, Ethan Arejola, Andrian Encinares, Joshua Austria and Christian Lawrence Villarin advanced.

Bulilan needed a strong third set to dispose of Armando Magallanes, 6-4, 5-7, 10-4, while Arejola blasted Juan Carlo Jacinto, 6-3, 6-3. Encinares clobbered Rafael Halili, 6-1, 6-3; Austria and Villarin blanked Jose Miguel Cruz and Sean Rodriguez, respectively.

Also making it to the second round of the boys’ 14-under are Nicholas Ian Balmes and Norman de Castro who claimed their spots via walkover.

 In the executive team event, Team Henry triumphed over PCA Sprint, 3-2, Whirlpool crushed Crame, 5-0, and Cebuana beat Mandaluyong, 3-1.

The tourmanement, presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Global Holdings,  is  supported by Manny Pacquiao, Dunlop, Fujidenzo/Whirlpool, Babolat, Head, Accel, Malate Bayview Mansion, Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc., Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company Inc., Seno Hardware, Standard Insurance, United Auctioneers Inc.,  Foton, Philippine Sports Commission, TLH Sports and Wellness Center/Solinco, Avida Land Corporation, Stronghold Insurance, Ryobi MHI and GMA 7.