Top seeds Arcilla, Patrimonio beat separate singles foes in PCA Open

Top seeds Johnny Arcilla and Anna Clarice Patrimonio turned back their respective singles opponents in the 30th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships Thursday at the PCA indoor shell clay court in Paco, Manila. Five-time champion Arcilla never gave unseeded Alexander Lazaro any chance to get his acts together to forge a 6-3, 6-1 victory, while Patrimonio took an even easier route winning via walkover against Martina Guba. Arcilla and Patrimonio both advance into the semifinals. "Bawat laro ibinibigay ko na ang lahat, kailangan kong maging consistent in preparation for my next game. Hindi pwedeng maging over confident ngayon dahil lahat ng players nag-iimprove," said Arcilla, a member of the silver-medal-winning National team in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. The 31-year-old Arcilla faces Rolando Ruel Jr., a 7-6 (2), 6-4 winner over younger brother Arvin.   Patrimonio battles No. 5 Tamitha Olivarez-Nguyen, who scored a 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Maika Tanpoco. Third seed Patrick John Tierro clinched a semis spot after fifth seed Ronard Joven retired due to cramps.   Tierro battles newcomer Jurence Zosimo Mendoza, who continued to slay down seeded players after dispatching No. 6 Ralph Kevin Barte, 2-6, 7-6 (10), 6-0. The win gave Mendoza his first semis appearance in the PCA Open. Marian Jade Capadocia and Mariel Ante set up a semis showdown after beating their respective opponents. Capadocia trounced Marinel Rudas, 6-2, 6-0, while Ante won via walk-over against Louise Alexandra Lopez. Fritz Verdad ruled the boys' Under-18 division after beating Alberto Lim Jr., 3-6, 6-0, 6-1. — JVP, GMA News