Arevalo on course for fifth singles title

Defending champion Czarina Mae Arevalo turned back unseeded Anna Christine Patrimonio, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, yesterday and stayed on track for a record title run in the Philippine Columbian Association Open at the Plaza Dilao shell courts in Paco, Manila.

Arevalo, 23, blew hot and cold but leaned on her experience to outlast Patrimonio in their three-set semifinal duel and zero in on a record fifth crown in the meet’s 27-year history.

Arevalo, who took a break from her tennis scholarship at Bangkok University, is currently tied with Maricris Fernandez and Jennifer Saret, now a coach at Ateneo, in the elite group of four-time winners.

“That’s my goal, to win a fifth title,” said Arevalo, ranked only third here but a favorite to win the title.

Standing on her way is top seed Bambi Zoleta, who is seeking her breakthrough win in the tournament sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Pagcor, Hewlett Packard, Dunlop, The Philippine STAR, Shirt Republik, Burlington, PVL Restaurant and Universal Paint.

Zoleta, who had a pair of runner-up finishes here, bucked a sluggish start and fought her way back to pull off a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Thai Thasha Vitayviroj for the other finals berth.

“She (Arevalo) has beaten me four times, all in straight sets so I’m the underdog,” said Zoleta, a 16-year-old first year Hotel and Restaurant Institution Management student at St. Benilde.

“But I’m determined to win it this year so let’s see what happens,” she said.

In doubles action, top seed PJ Tierro and Johnny Arcilla downed fifth pick Elbert Anasta and Jaime Solon, 6-3, 6-4, to set up a title showdown with RP team coach Cris Cuarto and Jeremy Salvo, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over brothers Arvin and Rolando Ruel, Jr.

“It’s my first finals appearance in 10 years,” said the 30-year-old Cuarto, the country’s non-playing Davis Cup team captain.