Arcilla gains PCA semis

Beats doubles partner in straight sets

MANILA, Philippines - Johnny Arcilla marched into the semis of the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Asian Tennis Federation tournament last night and looked forward to his clash with a 15-year-old netter who doesn’t seem to tire.

Arcilla, the eight-time PCA Open champion, defeated doubles partner Ronard Joven 6-3, 6-4, to advance in this ATF event. In today’s semis, he takes on Jose Maria Pague of Zamboanga City.

In what proved to be the match of the day, Pague outlasted Vicente Elberto Anasta, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7), after two hours, 20 minutes at center court.

Arcilla is a grizzled 36-year-old veteran. He laughed at the fact that his semis opponent is young enough to be his son but said he will just do what needs to be done.

“I will just focus. I’m sure it will not be easy because he’s very young. He will not get tired,” said Arcilla, once a key member of the Philippine team to international events.

Pague was on cloud nine after the victory over the 34-year-old Anasta. He said he never thought he could beat a player far more experienced on the court.

“All I knew was that he was better than me. So, I just followed the orders of my coach. Natsambahan,” said Pague, celebrating the win with his coach, Jojo Liwanag.

Pague said he lost the opening set because he was too aggressive. In the second, he opted for long rallies and baseline shots.

“I was able to adjust. I’m happy,” said Pague. He dropped to his pants after Anasta netted a return on match point.

The student of the Zamboanga Sibugay National High School is in for a tougher time in the semis against Arcilla, his future coach at National University, where he plans to pursue his college studies.

“When I enter college, he (Arcilla) will be my coach,” said Pague.

Earlier in the day, Marc Anthony Reyes ended the ambitions of Argil Lance Canizares with a 6-3, 6-3 win that sent the Filipino-Italian to the semis of the four-day event.

Reyes, runner-up in the 2013 PCA Open, will face either Patrick John Tierro or Rolando Ruel in the semis. He did not encounter any serious problems against Canizares, a 19-year-old student at La Salle who downed India’s Medhir Goyal the other day, 6-1, 6-3.

Reyes has yet to drop a set in two matches following an easier 6-0, 6-2 win over Mark Ervin Concepcion during Friday’s opener.

Tierro, who came to this Asian Tennis Federation event fresh from winning his second PCA Open crown last week, was still playing Ruel as of presstime.

The former top Filipino player said winning the PCA Open against Arcilla entering this ATF event adds up to his confidence.

“You gain the extra confidence. It helps a lot,” said Tierro.

The event is supported by The Philippine Star, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Dunlop, Whirlpool-Fujidenzo, Chris Sports, Mary Grace, Aseana City, PVL Restaurant, Maverick, Compass, Babolat, Just Jewels, Rexona, Palm Rock, Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines, Pearl Garden Hotel, Pearl Lane Hotel, L&M, Broadway Motors, Stronghold Insurance and Monte.