MANILA, Philippines?Czarina Arevalo ousted a crowd darling and earned a shot at keeping her crown against the top-seeded Bambi Zoleta in the ladies? singles competition of the 2008 Philippine Columbian Association Open Saturday at the PCA shell courts in Paco, Manila.

Arevalo disposed a hard-fighting Anna Christine Patrimonio, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, in their semifinal match and kept alive her bid for an unprecedented fifth overall crown.

?Hopefully I can defend it,? said the 23-year-old Arevalo, who bagged her fourth title last year to share the tourney record with Maricris Fernandez and Jennifer Saret. ?I got too relaxed today. I could have finished it in two sets.?

Zoleta hopes to put an end to a string of runner-up finishes after turning back Thailand?s Thassha Vitayviroj, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, in their own semifinal duel.

?I haven?t won against her (Arevalo) in four meetings, but I?ll try to do better,? the 16-year-old Zoleta said.

Arevalo and Zoleta will dispute the crown at 11 a.m. today, while Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro will fight for the men?s championship at 2 p.m.

Patrimonio, the charming 17-year-old daughter of former PBA superstar Alvin Patrimonio, advanced to the semifinals after stunning second-ranked Michelle Pang, 7-5, 6-1, in the quarterfinals last Thursday.