Arcilla, Alcantara set up dream final

CEBU, Philippines – Tournament top seeds Johnny Arcilla and Francis Casey "Nino" Alcantara lived up to their lofty billings after they smothered separate foes to set up a dream final showdown in the Cebu leg of the inaugural Peugeot Philippine Tennis Open yesterday at the Cebu Country Club.

Arcilla handily beat Ateneo de Manila's Marcen Angelo Gonzales, 6-0, 6-1, while Alcantara punched the remaining championship ticket after downing the last Cebuano standing Israel 'RJ" Abarquez, 7-6(5), 6-2 in the other semis duel.

It would be an interesing match-up to watch as the two talented netters have an old score to settle after posting an even head-to-head record in their only two meetings last year.

Arcilla lost to Alcantara in the semifinal round of the Olivarez Cup in Manila, but Arcilla pulled off a vengeful win over his archrival to rule the Tuna Festival Tennis Open in General Santos City.

In the women's open, Cebu's homegown talent Hannah Grace Espinosa proceeded to the final after crushing Manila's Macy Gonzales, 6-1, 4-1.

Espinosa, now based in Manila as varsity player of National University, hopes to become the host city's saving grace as she battles Maricel Mirabueno of Iligan City for the coveted crown today. Mirabueno advanced into the gold medal match after shocking seeded no.3 Erika Manduriao, 2-6, 6-0, 6-4. (FREEMAN)