Cebuano tennis sensation Bernardine “Niño” Siso will spearhead three other qualifiers in the first round of the 32-man main draw of open singles competition of the Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Circuit today at the Baseline Recreation Center’s tennis courts.
Siso made it through the qualifying round after beating Christian “Babao” Tiongko, 8-3, yesterday.
Siso won over Julrico Pagsiat in the earlier round,8-4, before he went up to face Tiongko in the final round of the qualifying.
Another netter who made it was Almichael Madrio, who defeated Jun Tabura, 8-4.
Shanur Khandaker also bagged a spot in the main draw after beating Ofel Lascuña, 8-3.
Yoyoy Villa is the fourth qualifier who made it through after his opponent Dwight Montuya defaulted their final qualifying match.
Villa played just once in the qualifying, winning over Reneboy Salahid, 8-5, on Sunday.
The four netters, survivors of the original 30 netters in the qualifying, will now start their bid in the men’s open singles competition that features the country’s top 16 netters.
Top-seed and grandslam champion of the tournament Johnny Arcilla will take on Roderick Lazaro at 4 p.m. today.
Second-seed Elbert Anasta will play against Amiel Aya-ay before that game together with the match between third-seed Rolando Ruel and Madrio. Fourth-seed Patrick John Tierro faces Joshua Cano later in the day.