Arcilla, Zoleta bag Philta Open titles

MANILA—Johnny Arcilla and Bambi Zoleta scored contrasting victories to rule their respective divisions in the First Olivarez-Philta Open tennis championships at the Olivarez Sports Center in Paranaque.

Relying on solid groundstrokes and a mean service game, the top-ranked Arcilla coasted to a 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 win over Joseph Victorino to claim the men’s title.

The unseeded Zoleta bucked an injured foot to upset top-ranked Christine Patrimonio, 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (4), in three and a half hours to capture the women’s crown.

“I didn’t want to give him a chance because he was capable of coming back,” the 30-year-old Arcilla, who went home with the P80,000 purse, said in Filipino.

The Olivarez title is Arcilla’s second in as many months after bagging the Makati Open last July.

The 19-year-old Zoleta, the country’s former No. 1, was slowed down by a foot injury after taking the first set via a tiebreak.

“I was feeling dizzy in the second set, but I really wanted to finish the match,” said Zoleta, who took home P30,000 for winning the finals.

The tournament is supported by Dunlop and sanctioned by the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association headed by Rep. Edwin Olivarez Jr.  Cedelf P. Tupas