MANILA, Philippines — Johnny Arcilla hoisted another men’s singles Open trophy in abbreviated fashion, ruling the PPS-PEPP San Carlos City National Tennis Championships as Jose Maria Pague retired in the second set due to groin injury in Negros Occidental recently.
Arcilla used his experience to fashion out a 6-3 romp in the opening set marked by long baseline rallies and booked another championship following a 6-4, 6-4 victory over doubles partner Ronard Joven in the Puerto Princesa Open last September.
While the top-seeded Davis Cup campaigner advanced to the finals with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Jelic Amazona, the No. 2 Pague went through a wringer before subduing seventh ranked Nilo Ledama, 6-2, 5-7, 13-11, in the semis of the annual event sponsored by Mayor Rene Gustilo and held in conjunction with the city’s Pintaflores Festival celebrations.