Johnny Arcilla said he will be extra cautious when he plays Junior Davis Cupper Jurence Mendoza in today’s quarterfinal round of the 5th Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Circuit Men’s Singles Open at the Baseline Tennis courts.
Arcilla, the country’s top-ranked netter said the 15-year-old Mendoza, seeded 6th, should not be taken lightly since he has all the skills and talent to win the tournament as proven in his previous wins against veteran netters Tony Sagansay and Roy Tabotabo.
“I think I am looking at a difficult match-up against Mendoza, because we all know that he is the future of Philippine tennis. I am not that confident of winning this match, I just hope that I will because I consider him now as a definite rival,” said Arcilla who is gunning for a fourth title in the prestigious tournament.
Arcilla reached the quarters after lopsided wins against two of the three Lazaro siblings entered in the tourney, Roderick and Leander in the first two rounds.
The other quarterfinal match will pit seventh seed Alexander Lazaro against third seed Rolando Ruel. Lazaro won over Juvan Divinigracia after the latter retired before the second set due to a sprained calf muscle. Lazaro won the first set, 6-1.
Fifth seed Ronard Joven and fourth seed Patrick John Tierro also reached the quarterfinal round with straight-set victories.
Joven escaped Arcie Maño, 6-4, 7-6(3), while Tierro routed Manila-based Cebuano player Roel Capampangan, 6-2, 6-2.
CEBUANOS FALL
Israel Abarquez, the last Cebuano standing in the tournament bowed out after losing to eighth seed Kim Ivor Saraza, 6-3, 7-6 (1).
Jacob Lagman, Amiel Aya-ay, Bernardine Siso, Roy Tabotabo, Michael Madrio and Franklin Encarnacion earlier lost to seeded players.
Action in the doubles event kicked off yesterday with the second-seeded pair of Anasta and Joven crushed Encarnacion and John Altiche, 6-2, 6-4.
Divinigracia and Kyle Parpan also advanced to the Last 8 against Anasta and Joven after beating Rollyto Litang and Romel Openiano, 6-2, 2-6, 10-1.
Kenneth Salvo and Mark Alcoseba beat Roderick Lazaro and Joshua Cano, 6-4, 6-2 while Leander Lazaro and Madrio routed Maño and Tony Sagansay, 6-3, 6-4.
The other doubles matches were still being played as of press time.