Arcilla bucks Tierro, keeps Cebuana title

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion and veteran Davis Cupper Johnny Arcilla added a third title to his collection since the Cebuana Lhuillier Men’s Tennis Open started its annual series four years ago as he beat former national teammate and La Salle player Patrick Joh Tierro in their best-of-three championship match recently.

Surprised by Tierro in the first set, 6-7, Arcilla took the next two sets, 6-4 and 6-3, to pocket the top P40,000 purse in the week-long event at the Baseline Tennis Club in Cebu City.

Tierro settled for P20,000.

In the semifinals, Arcilla booted out Rolando Ruel Jr. in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-3, while Tierro also fashioned out a similar 6-1, 6-0 rout of Joseph Victorino to set up the finals clash in the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and sponsored by Pera Padala, Le Soleil de Boracay, and Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions.

Arcilla and Tierro, meanwhile, teamed up in the doubles event to capture their fourth straight championship, edging Ruel and Alex Lazaro, 6-4, 6-3, for the top purse worth P20,000.

Sportsman-businessman and regular PH Davis Cup team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier also teamed up with Jun Toledo to rule the Pro-Am division of the tournament, beating Ken Salimbangon and Nino Salvador, 8-4.

“Philippine tennis needs regular high-level tennis competition for our elite players and we are happy that Cebuana Lhuillier has been consistently providing this to them,” said Lhuillier.