Arcilla advances

CEBU, Philippines - Johnny Arcilla reminded everyone why he is the country’s no.1 after posting a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over fast-rising junior netter Jurence Mendoza in their quarterfinal match of 5th Cebuana Lhuillier Men’s Open Tennis at Baseline Sports and Recreation Center late yesterday afternoon.

The match was one of the highly anticipated in this week-long event especially when Mendoza challenged Arcilla in the last PCA Open finals in Manila, which the latter won.

Although more improved, Mendoza still has a lot to prove and admitted Arcilla is really one tough player to beat.

 Losing to Arcilla though served as a very valuable lesson for Mendoza and he hopes to use such when he represents the country in the Junior Davis Cup in Australia.

While Mendoza bade goodbye to Cebu, Arcilla will be facing Alex Lazaro in the semifinals this 4 p.m.

Lazaro defeated Rolando Ruel in a three-setter, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The other semifinal match will have PJ Tierro against Onyok Anasta, who defeated separate opponents yesterday.

Tierro silenced Ronard Joven, 6-1, 6-1 while Anasta escaped defeat against Kim Ivor Saraza, 7-5, 6-3.

Arcilla together with PJ Tierro also got closer to their fifth straight title in the doubles event after defeating crowd drawers Euphretes “Juntabs” Tabura Jr. and Niño Siso with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.

Although Tabura and Siso didn’t come close to the top doubles pair, they were applauded for several times with some of their drop shots that caught Arcilla and Tierro off-guard.

Arcilla and Tierro will be meeting the all-Cebuano tandem of Kennex Abadia and Israel Abarquez in the quarterfinals.

Abadia and Abarquez stayed alive after posting a 6-2, 6-1 win against Edwin Bacarisas and Nico Peralta.

Earlier, Jurence Mendoza along with former teammate in the Junior Davis Cup, Cebuano Jacob Lagman bowed to Alex Lazaro and Rolando Ruel,7-5, 6-4 (10-7).

Another Cebuano, Amiel Aya-ay together with Julrico Pagasiat are also out of contention after they lost to Roel Capangpangan and Kim Ivor Saraza, 6-3, 4-6 (10-3).

Another Lazaro, Leander together with Almichael Madrio, is also in the next round after escaping defeat against Arcie Mano and Tony Sagansay, 6-3, 6-4.

The other doubles quarterfnalists are Mark Alcoseba and Ken Salvo, Juvan Divinagracia and another Australia-bound player, Kyle Parpan and Onyok Anasta and Ronard Joven. (FREEMAN)