Padao impresses in PCA Open
Unheralded Jude Michael Padao continued to send shockwaves down the 39th Philippine Columbian Association Open Tennis Championships as he slew 11th seed Alberto Villamor 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, to gatecrash into the round-of-16 at the PCA’s Plaza Dilao indoor shell court Tuesday, Oct. 25.
It was another stunning three-set victory for the 16-year-old Digos City qualifier after he brought down Rodolfo Barquin, a two-time UAAP champion for University of the East who hails from San Carlos, Negros Occidental, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in a match that last almost four hours Saturday.
The Corjeso College honor student emerged the last qualifier standing and he could extend his giant-slaying ways if he could pull the rug from under Jose Antonio Tria, a 6-1, 7-5 winner over Rusell Arcilla.
“I just want to give it my best every match,” said Padao in this event sponsored by Smart/PLDT, official ball Dunlop, Manila councilor Jong Isip, San Jose Salt, W. L. Food Products, Palawan Pawnshop and Pagcor.
He joined a distinguished group that included PCA champions Johnny Arcilla, Jeson Patrombon and Joseph Victorino.
Arcilla, a nine-time singles winner here, blanked Nilo Ledama, 6-0, 6-0; Patrombon, who reigned supreme here four years ago, trounced Jude Cineza, 6-4, 6-3; and Victorino, the 2002 titlist, stunned No. 7 Leander Lazaro, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, to all march into the next round.
In men’s doubles, second seed Leander Lazaro and Fritz Verdad dumped Jose Bernardo and Mateo Rivas, 6-2, 6-0, to surge through the round-of-16 in this tilt 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.
Also making the cut were Kristian Tesorio and Rafael Liangco, who edged John Altiche and John Jeric Accion, 6-4, 5-7, 10-5; Alberto Villamor and Rash Manatad, who downed Andrei Cagamat and Elvin Geluz, 6-4, 6-0; John Tomacruz and Franklin Encarnacion, who waylaid Mathew Crisosto and Maraphael Teng, 6-0, 6-4; Alexis Acabao and Erik Tangub, who ousted Gab Bandoquillo and Feb Deja, 6-3, 7-5; and Jose Antonio Tria and Bryan Saarenas, who slammed Abdulqouhar Allian and Argil Lance Canizares, 6-3, 6-2.
Padao also advanced in the doubles alongside Harvey Gilbuena after they turned back Jackey Mirabueno and Vince Serino, 6-2, 6-4.