Tierro rips PCA rival

Defending champion PJ Tierro started his title-retention bid on a bright note by beating qualifier Renz Lapating, 8-3, in the opening round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event yesterday at the refurbished PCA claycourts in Paco, Manila.

Despite struggling early due to the slow surface, Tierro needed just 15 minutes to dispatch his rival.

Up next for Tierro is either Francis Segumpan or Ken Phillip Pardela. Both Segumpan and Pardela were still playing at presstime.

The tournament is using the super tiebreak due to a huge number of participants. The regular three-set format will be used in the Round of 64.

The finalists in the men’s singles will earn berths in the main draw of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 to be held in the same venue, while losers in the semifinalsand quarterfinals will get tickets in the qualifying round of the same event.

Doubles champion will also get a slot in the 16-pair main draw.

Meantime, Francis Edilbert Alcantara, younger brother Davis Cup veteran Niño Alcantara, demolished Rodolfo Agna, 8-2, and advanced to the main draw.