TOP-RANKED Johnny Arcilla opened his singles title defense on a high note by whipping Miguel Bolasa, 10-2, in the fifth Merco-Selecta Davao Men's Tennis Challenge Invitational that resumed at the Ecoland Phase 1 Tennis Club courts Friday, October 28.
Veteran Davis Cupper Arcilla, who hails from Butuan City, thus, arranged a quarterfinals showdown with Jeleardo Amazona of Banaybanay, Davao Oriental. The latter survived past Warren Andrescio, 10-6.
Joining Arcilla, current No. 1 in men's ranking of the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta), and Amazona in the quarterfinals are Philta men's No. 5 Leander Lazaro of the National University, No. 7 Ronard "Toto" Joven of Sultan Kudarat, Lordrens Pacheco, Roel Capangpangan, Davao City's Michael Mesa and John Jeric Accion.
Lazaro proved too much for Zeus Derecho whom he thrashed, 10-1, to face Mesa, a 10-2 winner over Marbel standout Janus Ringia, in the next round.
Accion, meanwhile, expects an uphill contest against Joven who subdued Henry Aniana, 10-4, in their second round collision.
In doubles competition, the pair of Amazona and Pacheco spanked
Juma Pague and Dexter Looc, 10-5, while Mark Norman Enriquez and Gabriel Perez escaped past Jhun Alcoseba and Bolasa, 10-9, 7-4.
Mesa combined forces with Andrescio to outclass the Accion-Aniana
tandem.
Joven and Jonathan Palac, for their part, barged into the semifinals via a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Gabriel Reconall and Fritz Domingo.
Doubles top-seed Arcilla and Ringia are pitted against Amazona and Pacheco in the quarterfinals of the netfest presented by Merco and Selecta and organized by Merco president Anton Ferrazzini, ArielRoco, RegieCaingles and tournament director Boy Diong.
The singles champion will win P30,000 while the runner-up will take home P20,000. Semifinals and quarterfinals losers will also receive prizes.
The doubles titlist, on the other hand, will go home with P20,000 as P10,000 will be awarded to the second-placer of the annual tournament.
