Anasta guns down Tierro

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine Army private first class Vicente Elbert “Onyok” Anasta survived the toughest battle he had so far in the 5th Cebuana Lhuillier Men’s Open Tennis against Patrick John “PJ” Tierro, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(9) at the Baseline tennis courts last night.

Anasta needed two hours and a half before edging out Tierro.

Except for the first set, the last two sets were really heart-stopping with the second set going in favor of Tierro.

In the deciding match, Tierro tried to hang on, tying the game for several times during the tie break until it reached 8-all, but Anasta nailed the next two points for the win.

Anasta will face next either defending champion Johnny Arcilla or Alex Lazaro in the championship game set at 3 pm today.

Aside from the singles semifinal match, Lazaro will also meet Arcilla in the doubles semis.

Lazaro, together with Rolando Ruel, defeated his nephew Leander and Almichael Madrio, 6-1, 6-2 in their quarterfinal match.

Arcilla and PJ Tierro, for their part, tamed Cebu’s Kennex Abadia and Israel “RJ” Abarquez, 6-1, 6-2 victory.

The other semifinal match in the doubles features Anasta and Ronard Joven against Roel Capangpangan and Kim Ivor Saraza.

The equally-exciting pro-am action saw sportsman John Pages together with Juvan Divinagracia going too much for Mark Alcoseba and Fabie Borromeo, 8-1.

Pages and Divinagracia will be meeting former Davis Cupper and event organizer Jun Toledo along Andrey Villamor in the semifinal round.

The other semifinal match will be played by Johnny Bohol and Ken Salvo versus the tandem of Rollyto Litang and Johnny Lasa. (FREEMAN)