Top seed Arcilla disposes of Pantua in Olivarez netfest

Top seed Johnny Arcilla powered his way to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Ernesto Pantua Jr. in the men's singles of the 1st Olivarez-Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) Open Tennis Championship at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Paranaque. Second-ranked Elbert Anasta and No. 3 Patrick John Tierro shared the limelight after posting convincing wins against their respective opponents. Anasta tripped Kristian Tesorio, 6-4, 6-1, while Tierro trounced Ofel Lascuna, 6-0, 6-2. Arcilla, 30, was actually slowed down by the shell court after getting used to playing on the hard court. The Davis Cup veteran, however, easily shook off the rust as he sailed into the next round. "Medyo nangangapa pa ako dahil katatapos lang ng tournament ko sa hard court tapos 'yung nilalaruan namin ngayon shell clay," said Arcilla. "Pero okay naman, kailangan ko lang ng konti pang adjustments dahil patindi ng patindi ang laban habang uma-advance ako." Arcilla, who will be seeing action in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November, will next face Deo Talatayod, a 7-5, 7-6 (5) winner over Inigo Chris Caguiron. Rising netter Pablo Olivarez II also advanced into the next round at the expense of Alberto Villamor, 6-1, 6-1, in the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (Philta)-sanctioned tournament. On the women's side, International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior campaigners Clarice Patrimonio and Tamitha Nguyen also made their presence felt along with fellow standouts Bambi Zoleta and Aileen Rogan. Patrimonio blanked Ann Margaret Cabrera, 6-0, 6-0, while Nguyen clipped Nicole Cassandra Eugenio, 6-0, 6-1. Zoleta and Rogan defeated Jella Jade Capadocia, 6-1, 6-2, and Anne Rene Castillo, 6-2, 6-0, respectively. A whopping P500,000 cash prize is up for grabs. The men's singles champion will be taking home P80,000, while the women's singles titlist gets P40,000. - JVP, GMA News