Arcilla rules LACO Masters Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Johnny Arcilla found the needed breaks in time to hammer out a 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 decision over US-based Kyle Dandan late Monday and rule the LACO Masters Cup at the La Consolacion Sports Complex in Las Piñas.

Displaying brilliant form and skills, both Arcilla and Dandan, on a two-week winter break from Santa Clara University in California, slugged it out for more than four hours.

En route to the championship match, Arcilla thumped Kevin Barte, 6-1, 6-3; Soo Han Chung, 6-2, 6-4; and Dandan, 6-1, 1-3 (ret.), to top Group A (Stronghold group) in the preliminary round. He then subdued Elbert Anasta, 6-3, 6-4, in the crossover semifinals.

Dandan, the No. 2 qualifier from Group A, won over Chung, 7-6 (4), 6-3, and Barte, 6-1, 7-6 (4), before mowing down Group B (Flushing Meadows) topnotcher PJ Tierro, 7-5, 6-4, in the semis.

Arcilla pocketed P60,000 top purse while Dandan settled for the P30,000 runner-up prize in the tournament sponsored by Stronghold Insurance Co. Inc., Utility Assurance Corp., Power Zaver Techno Services Corp. and Emerald Multi Resources Manufacturing Corp.