Jose Marie Pague turned back Vince Tugade, 6-1, 6-4, yesterday that set in motion his bid to replicate his dream run in 2017 at the start of the 39th Philippine Columbian Association Open Tennis Championships Saturday (Oct. 22) at its indoor shell court in Plaza Dilao, Paco.
The victory sent the 24-year-old Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay native into the second round against the winner between Joshua Kinaadman and qualifier Hilbert San Jose who were battling at press time.
Also advancing were Russel Arcilla and Neil Tangalin, who hurdled Dawson Ormoc, 7-6 (1), 6-0, and Aljohn Talatayod, 6-4, 6-4, respectively, in the 9-day meet sponsored by Smart/PLDT, official ball Dunlop, Manila Councilor Jong Isip, San Jose Salt, W. L. Food Products, Palawan Pawnshop and Pagcor.
Arcilla, the youngest of the four tennis-playing siblings from Butuan City, had to fend off Ormoc’s early challenge before imposing his will in the second set to seal their match that lasted a little less than an hour and a half.
For Tanggalin, a proud son of Baguio, his goal is to try to earn respect.
Marco Macalintal, an 18-year-old qualifier from San Pablo, Laguna, made some noise with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over a higher-ranked Execquiel Jucutan.
Meanwhile, men’s doubles action unfolds today with top seed Johnny Arcilla and Ronard Joven clashing with Mario and Raymart Sabas at 10 a.m. and No. 2 seed Leander Lazaro and Fritz Verdad battling Vaughn Codilla and Aljohn Talatayod at 11 a.m.
The tournament, which is also backed by GAC Motors, GIMACA Convenience Store and Development Corp., Ourzen Chicken, HEAD, Ms. Rina Caniza, Mr. Benito Tan, Primo Dept Fuel Station, Kaizan Steel Trading, Cazneau, Inc. and Knaut Art Glass, stakes a total cash pot of around P1.1 million with P200,000 and P100,000 going to the men’s and women’s singles champions and P70,000 and P35,000 to the men’s and women’s doubles titlists.
