Arcilla, Reyes arrange duel for PCA plum

MANILA, Philippines - Seven-time champion Johnny Arcilla and Fil-Italian Marc Reyes forged a showdown for the 32nd Philippine Columbian Association Open men’s singles crown after dismantling separate rivals in yesterday’ semis at the PCA covered courts.

The top-seeded Arcilla banked on his experience to dispose of 20-year-old seventh-ranked Leander Lazaro, 6-4, 6-2, while No. 4 Reyes trounced No. 2 PJ Tierro, 6-3, 6-3.

The two will dispute the coveted title tomorrow at 1 p.m., the sixth career faceoff for Arcilla and Reyes with the former enjoying a 3-2 edge.

Just two months back, they mixed it up in the fourth Olivarez Open with Arcilla, 33, hacking out a 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 squeaker over the 24-year -old Reyes.

“Mas bata sa akin si Marc kaya kailangan ko talaga mag-pakundisyon at palakasin ang stamina ko (I’ll be facing a younger rival so it’s important that I come in top condition against him),” said Arcilla.

Reyes, for his part, is wary of Arcilla’s wealth of experience and expertise on clay.

“Veteran siya sa shell court at mas experienced pero bibigyan ko siya ng magandang laban (He is more experienced and more used to this surface but I will give him a good fight),” said Reyes, who will try to put a halt on Arcilla’s current streak of three titles.

Arcilla encountered fierce opposition from upset-conscious Lazaro, who managed to keep in step with the favored netter from Butuan in the early goings and force a 4-4 count. Arcilla, however, reasserted his mastery, using his solid baseline game to wear out Lazaro and seal the set.

It was basically a cruise from there for Arcilla, on the hunt for his eighth crown in the P600,000 tourney.