MANILA, Philippines - Christine Patrimonio stayed on course for a third crack at a first-ever PCA crown as she blasted Lenelyn Milo, 6-0, 6-1, to roll into the quarterfinal round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA’s Plaza Dilao clay courts in Paco, Manila yesterday.
“I hope I can win it this year,” said the 23-year-old Patrimonio, twice foiled in her title bid in 2010 and 2011.
Patrimonio, one of the two tennis playing daughters of PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio, faces a strong challenge from second seed Marinel Rudas, who blanked Reisha Nillasca, 6-0, 6-0, in the tournament backed by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine STAR, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
Her younger sister, top seed Clarice, also breezed through the quarters with a 6-0, 6-2 drubbing of qualifier Crizzabelle Paulino for a clash with youthful Rafaella Villanueva, who eased out another qualifier Kryshana Hitosis, 6-1, 6-2.
Also making it to the next round are Edilyn Balanga, who trounced Sally Mae Siso, 6-1, 6-1; Shaira Hope Rivera, who defeated Frances Angelica Santiago, 6-2, 6-4; Hannah Espinosa, who blasted Miles Vitaliano, 6-0, 6-0; and Maia Balce, a 6-0, 6-0 winner over Krizelle Sampaton.
In men’s play, top seed PJ Tierro waylaid Neil Tangalin, 6-1, 6-0; Johnny Arcilla bested Arthur Craig Pantino, 6-2, 6-1; and Enebert Anasta eliminated Fil-Spanish Diego Dalisay, 6-3, 6-2, as the troika cruised to the Last 8 phase of the event supported by Whirlpool/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 Corp.
Tierro will next play the winner between Stefan Suarez and Mark Anthony Alcoseba; Anasta tangles with the winner between Rolando Ruel Jr. and Alberto Villamor, while Arcilla will meet either Ronard Joven or Fritz Verdad.
For reaching the quarters, Tierro, Anasta and Arcilla earned automatic spots in the qualifying round of the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Future Leg 2 unfolding on Oct. 2.