By Jean Malanum

Alberto Lim Jr. (File photo)  

MANILA – Defending champion Alberto Lim Jr. defeated Jude Michael Padao, 6-2, 7-5, Tuesday in the second round of the 41st Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open men’s singles competition at the PCA indoor shell courts in Paco, Manila.

Lim, a member of the Davis Cup team which competed in Bahrain last week, will face No. 10 Lance Jacob Fernandez, who eliminated qualifier Gerald Gemida, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.

No. 2 Eric Olivarez Jr., No. 3 Elbert Anasta, No. 5 Fritz Verdad, No. 7 Joshua Kinaadman, and No. 8 Noel Damian also moved to the next round.

In the men’s doubles, second seeds Anasta and Kinaadman outplayed Angel Balaoing and Gillian Bandoquillo, 7-6, 6-3, to advance against Jeremiah Latorre and John Tomacruz, who prevailed over Roy Tan and Christian Tesorio, 6-3, 6-0.

Other winners were Olivarez and PJ Tierro over Raymond Diaz and Mateo Rivas, 6-1, 6-2; Toto Joven and Padao over Geo Serino and Sebastian Santos, 6-1, 6-3; Alberto Villamor and Rash Manatad over Jude Ceniza and John Renest Sonsona, 6-1, 2-6 (10-3); and Marco Macalintal and Eric Jay Tangub over Erik Ayson and Expedito Lim, 6-1, 6-4.

Meanwhile, top seed Marian Capadocia stamped her class over Erynne Francesca Ong, 6-0, 6-0, to book a seat in the second round where she will meet Jeannie Rose Barcia, a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Kiana De Asis.

No. 2 Alexa Joy Milliam also made it to the next round after beating Sandra Bautista, 6-4, 6-3.

Milliam will be up against Khim Iglupas, a 6-4, 6-3 winner over qualifier Nichole Dela Rita.

In other results, Jasmine Jaran downed Althea Faye Ong, 6-0, 6-4; Justine Hannah Maneja trounced Annika Diwa, 6-3, 6-2; Joshea Malazarte rallied past Jessica Mae Carcueva, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3; and Tiffany Claire Nocos clobbered Miles Alexandra Vitaliano, 6-1, 6-2. Also earning second-round slots were Dana Abad, Elsie Abarquez, Jufe Anne Cocoy, Kaye Ann Emana, Joana Victoria Peña, Czarina Claire Miraflor, Mikaela Vicencio and Angeline Alcala.

In the doubles, top seeds Rovie Baulate and Elsie Abarquez defeated Carcueva and Kolin Coronel, 6-3, 6-0, to advance in the quarterfinal against Diwa and Vicencio, who won over Iglupas and Rachel Velez, 2-6, 6-2 (13-11).

Also advancing were Marian Capadocia-Maika Tanpoco, Bambi Zoleta-Aileen Rogan, Joshea Malazarte-Jufe Ann Cocoy, Bea Gomez-Amor Idao, Dana Abad-Tao Faye Tan, and Kaye Ann Emana-Maria Judy Padilla. (PNA)