Tierro, Arcilla arrange title duel in Cebu netfest

MANILA, Philippines – For the fifth time in their careers, Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla will slug it out in a blockbuster finals duel in the Cebuana Lhuiller Tennis Circuit. The country’s top two players arranged a championship showdown following easy victories over their respective semifinal rivals Friday at the Baseline Tennis Center in Cebu City. Barely 24 hours after surviving his biggest test in the tournament, by hurdling past junior standout Francis Casey Alcantara in a grueling quarterfinals showdown, the top-ranked Tierro was all business against Elbert Anasta. Tierro scored a straight set 6-4, 6-3 win over Anasta to clinch the first finals seat. One hour later, it was Arcilla’s turn as he only needed 55 minutes in demolishing local bet Jaime Solon, 6-2, 6-3. Tierro and Arcilla were members of the RP men’s team that won the gold in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Fil-Am players Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino are the other members of that SEAG gold-medal winning squad. As individuals, Tierro and Arcilla met four times in the finals with the latter enjoying a 3-1 advantage in their head-to-head encounter. Tierro won their last face-off – the Metro Pacific Open – and Arcilla believes he is the underdog and his younger foe is the heavy favorite in Saturday’s championship. “Malayo pa ako sa condition, about 50-60 percent pa lang siguro since I’m coning off from a groin injury," said Arcilla, who was dislodged several years ago by the young Tierro as the country’s top netter. “Tuloy tuloy yung tournament ni PJ. Champion pa siya sa Angeles City and non-stop ang training niya. Two weeks lang ang preparation ko rito kaya wala pa akong masyadong body movement." Tierro, who graduated with a sports psychology degree at De La Salle University only this year, has high respect on Arcilla. “Ang daming beses na naming naglaban ni Johnny. We knew each other so well. Crucial factor here is how we adjust come finals." Tierro and Arcilla put aside their rivalry in the single’s division and formed up a deadly combo in the double’s event. Their tandem made it to the semifinal round after beating the pair of Michael Mantua and Mario Sabas, 6-2, 6-3. Also making it to the double’s semis is the duo of Alcantara and Ralph Kevin Barte, who outclassed the pair of Mark Balce and Rollyto Litang, 6-4, 6-2. – GMANews.TV