Arcilla, Anasta reach finals

MANILA, Philippines - RP Davis Cupper Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental have defeated their respective opponents yesterday to reach the finals of the Bacolod Open tennis championships.

Arcilla dethroned Ralph Kevin Barte in just a little over of an hour, 6-4, 6-0, while Anasta whipped second-seeded Patrick John Tierro in a hard-fought three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Arcilla and Anasta dispute the title today in their first showdown since the second leg of the circuit in 2009, said tournament director Tom Falcis.

Anasta trounced Arcilla in the first leg of the Tennis Open last year, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, but Arcilla won the legs in Butuan, Bohol, Lanao del Norte and just recently in Marawi.

The singles champion will take home P25,000 while the runner-up and third placer will receive P15,000 and P7,000, respectively.

The doubles champion, on the other hand, will get P15,000 while the second, third and fourth placers will receive P7,000, P4,000 and P2,000, respectively.

Earlier, Arcilla trounced Mario Sabas, 6-2, 6-0, while Tierro whipped Michael Mantua, 6-0, 6-2, and third seed Barte stunned veteran Rolando Ruel Jr., 6-2, 6-3. Elbert, fourth seed, from Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, defeated Mark Anthony, 7-6, 6-2.

“If our Filipino players continue to compete in many tournaments, they can excel in this kind of sports and one day we have a Filipino champion in tennis all over the world,” said Hatta Dimaporo, president of the United Tennis Players of the Philippines (UTPP).

“This is the association’s mission and vision – to produce ala ‘Manny Pacquiao’ in tennis,” he added.

The tournament was sponsored by Noah Haven Eatery and Internet Café, lawyer Rudy King, RYP Philta, Bong Arguilles, Pryce Gases Inc., Chic Salon de Beaute, Jane’ la Couiffure, Boro-Boro Spring, Coca-Cola, Action for Dynamic Development (ADD) Movement, Al Husien Construction, Lanao de Norte Gov. Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo, Air Force One, Dr. Ver Lacson and Sylvia Manor Hotel.

Bacolod, known as the City of Smiles, is one of the cities that actively support Philippine tennis.