Patrick John Tierro finally found a way to end Johnny Arcilla’s amazing streak at the PCA Open.
Brandishing a totally different game with strong serves and flat forehands, Tierro outlasted Arcilla, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, yesterday to crown himself men’s singles king in the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis championships presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Global Holdings.
The 29-year-old Tierro, who reclaimed his No. 1 spot in the national rankings this year after a long hiatus, also ended years of frustrations in the tournament. He had finished runner-up twice both to Arcilla.
Tierro also prevented the 34-year-old Arcilla from nailing a ninth men’s singles title on the famed PCA shell-clay courts.
Tierro won the P100,000 prize, while Arcilla settled for P50,000.
Earlier, Marian Jade Capadocia extended her reign for the fourth straight year as women’s single champion by outclassing Maika Tanpoco, 6-1, 6-0.
“I was calm all throughout and I told myself I should not rush things, that’s why the result was good,” said Capadocia in Filipino.
Capadocia more than made up for her small 5-foot frame with crafty shotmaking and speed. She pocketed the P50,000 top purse, while Tanpoco P25,000.
Marinel Rudas and Edily Balanga took the women’s doubles title by foiling Capadocia and her sister Jella Jade, 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.
Rudas and Balanga split the P25,000 top pot, while the Capadocia sisters went home with P10,000.
Arcilla later teamed up with Kyle Joshua Dandan to capture the men’s doubles crown with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over his brother Joseph and Kim Saraza. Arcilla and Dandan went home with P50,000.