Patrimonio sisters advance to next round in PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines -- Top seed Clarice Patrimonio set in motion her bid to win her first title as she smashed Erika Manduriao, 6-2, 6-1, Monday at the start of the ladies singles of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA's Plaza Dilao clay courts in Paco, Manila.

Patrimonio, the 21-year-old daughter of former PBA star Alvin, needed just about an hour to beat Manduriao and advance to the second round where she will face qualifier Crizzabelle Paulino, who smashed Janina Luis, 6-0, 6-1.

"I'm just warming up," said the soft-spoken Patrimonio, who is out to win her first ever PCA Open title after a disappointing quarterfinal performance in last year's staging topped by Mary Jade Capadocia.
Patrimonio is also seeking a first title of the year after a pair of semifinal finishes in the Tunafest Open in General Santos early this month and the Olivarez Cup in Paranaque two months ago.

She did won something this year after she was part of the women's team that picked up a silver in the team event of last June's Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

"Hopefully, I could start winning in this tournament," said Patrimonio, who has taken a week off before resuming playing in this event supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Second seed Marinel Rudas routed Jana Exconde, 6-0, 6-1, to arrange a second round match with Reisha Nillasca, who advanced via a walkover win over Jenni Dizon of the tournament is supported by Whilpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Fesma Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel, Metro Global Holdings Corporation, Avida, PVL Restaurant, Mary Grace Foods, Inc., Seno Hardware and Wire Rope Corporation.

Patrimonio's elder sister, Christine, moved on after a no show by Kimberly Keethler, while fast-rising Rafaella Villanueva blanked Crystalyn Sabas, 6-0, 6-0, to likewise advance versus Krysha Hitosis, who won via walkover against Jzash Eale Canja.

Also making it through the second round were Edilyn Balanga, Sally Mae Siso, Frances Angelica Santiago, Shaira Hope Rivera, Hannah Espinosa, Miles Vitaliano, Krizelle Sampaton and Maia Balce.

The finalists in the men’s singles will earn berths in the main draw of the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 starting Oct. 2, while the players who make it into the quarterfinals and semifinals will clinch berths in the qualifying round. Only the winners in the doubles division will be given spots in the ITF main 16-pair main draw.

A total of P172,000 is up for grabs with the men’s singles winner receiving P50,000 and runner-up P25,000. The ladies singles titlist and runner-up will get P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.