Arcilla, Ruel reach PCA Open final

Asian Games-bound Johnny Arcilla stamped his class over third seed Alexander Lazaro, 6-2, 6-2, yesterday to reach the men’s singles final of the P400,000 Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships at the PCA indoor shell-claycourt.

The top-seeded Arcilla, banking on his solid forehand, played confidently throughout the 75-minute encounter.

"My confidence level is high. Alex tried to put up a good fight but I played a lot better than him today," said Arcilla, who along with Fil-Americans Patrick John Tierro, Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino, will leave next week for Doha, Qatar.

Arcilla will meet second seed Rolando Ruel Jr. in the final tomorrow. Ruel defeated fifth seed Yannick Guba, 6-3, 6-4, in the other semifinal match.

It will be the fourth final appearance for Arcilla and the first for Ruel in the tournament’s 25-year-old history. Arcilla lost to eventual champion, Korean Chung Hee Seok, last year.

"It will be a tight match. Ruel’s beaten me twice this year and I’m eager to get back at him," said the 26-year-old Arcilla, runner-up to Ruel in the Abalos Cup and Escudero Cup.

Ruel, who played for the RP Davis Cup team and a veteran of the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, hopes to improve his 2-3 record against Arcilla.

"I know that Johnny will try to beat me this time. I will be ready for him," said the 28-year-old Ruel, losing finalist to Arcilla in Makati Sports Club, Digos City Open and Olivarez Cup.

Earlier, top seeds Arcilla and Joseph Victorino downed No. 7 Joel Palao and Ronald Joven, 6-3, 6-2, to advance in the doubles semifinals against No. 14 Ralph Kevin Barte and Irwin de Guzman, who ousted fifth seeds Elbert Anasta and Pablo Olivarez II, 7-5, 6-1.

In other matches, No. 8 Roland Kraut and Nico Riego De Dios scored a 6-3, 6-2 upset win over second seeds Ricardo Lagac and Alexander Lazaro, 6-3, 6-2, to advance against sixth seeds Dino Jimenez and Michael Mora III, who prevailed over Michael Misa and Michael Tenoria, 7-5, 7-5.

In the ladies doubles, No. 8 Jessica Agra and Michelle Pang eliminated fourth seeds Trudy Amoranto and Aileen Rogan, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, to advance in the semifinals against top seeds Denise Dy and Jennifer Saret. Other winners were second seeds Bien and Bambi Zoleta over fifth seeds Ivy De Castro and Arra Micayabas, 6-2, 6-7 (8), 6-3, and third seeds Rina Caniza and Anne dela Peña, who beat No. 7 Catherine Flores and Michelle Panis, 6-1, 7-6 (5).