Favorites advance in PCA Open

source | MB | MANILA, Philippines — Second seed Elbert Anasta dropped the first set but recovered brilliantly to hack out a 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over unheralded Leandro Lazaro in the second round of the 30th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Monday at the PCA courts in Paco, Manila.

"Kulang ako sa warm-up kaya sa simula ng laban medyo malamig ang laro ko. Bumibigay ako sa long rallies, mas lamang siya sa akin sa endurance kasi mas bata siya," said Anasta, a former Davis Cupper.

Anasta will face the winner in the match between Jurence Mendoza and Gilbert Estrada.

Also advancing to the next round of the event presented by Cebuana Lhuillier were top seed Johnny Arcilla and third-ranked Patrick John Tierro.

Banking on his vast experience, Arcilla made short work of Kyle Parpan, 6-1, 6-0, while Tierro also dispatched Alberto Villamor with nary a trouble, 6-2, 6-2.

Meanwhile, No. 8 Roel Capampangan also rebounded from a lethargic start to beat

Rollito Litang, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Other second round winners were Alexander Lazaro who defeated Chris Cuarto, 7-5, 6-3; Fritz Verdad who survived Nino Salvador, 7-6 (4), 7-5; Kim Ivor Saraza against Marlino Pascual, 6-2, 4-3 (ret.); Antonio Quiza who thrashed Jarryd Manduriao, 6-1, 6-1.

Posted in: PCA, Tennis