Alcantara sails to fourth round

Casey Alcantara leaned on his experience and attacked the net to neutralize Joel Atienza’s power game for a 6-4, 6-2 victory yesterday as he rolled into the fourth round of the 34th Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event at the PCA’s Plaza Dila clay courts in Paco, Manila.

Alcantara struggled against Atienza’s power serves and strong forehand shots in the opening set but the former Australian Open boys’ doubles winner came through with volleys while attacking the net, forcing his rival to run for the balls.

“He has a strong serve and forehand so I was forced to adjust my game a little by making him run for those balls,” said Alcantara, who beat Johnny Arcilla and PJ Tierro to win this year’s Olivarez Cup crown.

Alcantara, a Communications Degree holder at Pepperdine, earlier disputed a call with the chair umpire, adding some tense moments to the tightly fought first set.

“It was nothing. I was just trying to explain to him about a call I felt wasn’t right,” said Alcantara, who thus set up a duel with the winner of Roel Capangpangan-Kristian Tezero in the event sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop and The Philippine STAR.

Arcilla, 35, waylaid Abson John Alejandre, 6-1, 6-0, to stay on track of his crack for a ninth championship. He will next play Arthur Craig Pantino, who downed Kyle Parpan, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0.

Others who advanced were No. 5 Rolando Ruel Jr., and Ronard Joven with the former repulsing Leander Lazaro with a thrilling 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, and the latter routing Raymund Diaz, 6-1, 6-2.

Noel Damian Jr. upended No. 15 Arcie Mano, 6-7 (8), 6-1, 6-2, to post the day’s upset.