JESON Patrombon and Vicente Anasta dispatched their first two rivals in emphatic fashion to cruise into the quarterfinals of the PPS-PEPP Fr. F. Suarez Open Tennis Championship at the Villa Aurora Tennis Club in Cebu City last Tuesday.
Patrombon, the top seed seeking his first major title after a gold medal feat in the men’s doubles with Casey Alcantara in the 30th SEA Games last month, crushed Axel Bohon 6-0, 6-0 in the first round then smothered Alejandro Barrientos 6-1, 6-2 to arrange a Last 8 clash with Venz Alforque.
The Cebuano bet emerged as the lone unranked player in the quarterfinals after a 6-2 (ret.) win over No. 8 Mari Altiche but will need more than breaks to topple Patrombon for a berth in the Final Four of the event presented by Dunlop.
Anasta, who gained the No. 2 ranking from multi-titled Johnny Arcilla, eased out Kyle Velasquez 6-2, 6-2, then repulsed rising star John David Velez 6-3, 6-7(3), 10-2 to set up a quarterfinals duel with No. 7 Norman Enriquez, who routed Joemah Bautista 6-0, 6-1 and thwarted Alberto Villamor 7-6(4), 6-3.
Also moving into contention for the crown worth P40,000 in the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by president-CEO Bobby Castro were No. 4 Fritz Verdad, sixth ranked Leander Lazaro, No. 5 Joshua Kinaadman and Arcilla.
