SHELL-CLAY court specialist Johnny Arcilla asserted his mastery over Fil-Italian Marc Reyes, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, even as Patrick John Tierro bested 14-year-old Alberto Lim Jr., 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 to arrange a final duel in the Olivarez Cup at Olivarez Center in Sucat, Parañaque.
Arcilla posted the hard-earned victory in three hours and 20 minutes to gain the championship slot.
But more than that, Arcilla practically also secured his place in the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team which plays New Zealand on Sept. 13 to 15 in Lapu-Lapu City.
Arcilla will now try to take the title against Tierro, the former PH No. 1 player who is making a comeback, in the finals slated tomorrow.
Tierro, who hooked up with renowned coach Manny Tecson who also handles Lim and Reyes, needed two hours and 10 minutes to stop the spunky teenage hotshot who ousted defending champion Elbert Anasta in the quarterfinals.
The 33-year-old Arcilla is among the four Filipino Cuppers who will be awarded Commitment Award by the International Tennis Federation.
He will be joined by Raymundo Deyro and Juan-Johnson Jose in the honor roll to be given during the Saturday Doubles of the tie. Felicisimo Ampon will also get a trophy posthumously.