Fiery Arcilla completes sweep

JOHNNY Arcilla hacked out a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Vicente Anasta to capture the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Dagitab Festival Open tennis crown and complete his sweep of the three PPS-PEPP Open titles at Naga City Tennis Club in Cebu over the weekend.

Arcilla, who ousted doubles partner Ronard Joven, 6-4, 6-3, in the semifinals, used a variety of shots to overpower Anasta, breaking him once in the opening frame before pulling through in a thrilling second-set duel.

“I thank PPS-PEPP for putting up this circuit through the years.  Not only for us but also for the youth, especially from the countryside.  They could be our next members of the national team,” said Arcilla, who pocketed another P40,000. “This win also makes my Christmas doubly memorable as I was able to win all three Open titles this year.”

Anasta made the singles finals after a 0-6, 5-2 (ret.) win over the top-seeded Tierro.

The many-time PCA Open champion also topped the Tuna Festival Open and the Pintaflores Open Championship.

Arcilla actually scored a double as he teamed up with Joven to defeat Anasta and PJ Tierro, 7-6(1), 6-1, for the men’s doubles plum. They won P20,000.

Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro said a 45-leg nationwide tour is being lined up next season with the Open tournaments expanded to eight events.