Patrick Tierro rules PCA

PATRICK John Tierro got the better of archrival Johnny Arcilla to score a 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) victory and claim the Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier men’s tennis singles title Sunday.

Tierro raced from 5-2 in the second set and capitalized on Arcilla’s collapse to hack out his second PCA Open men’s singles title. He also won the crown in 2014.

The longtime national player and Davis Cupper pocketed P50,000 for his feat, while Arcilla went home with P25,000.

But Arcilla redeemed himself in men’s doubles after teaming up with Ronard Joven to win the title over Elbert Anasta and Marc Anthony Alcoseba, 6-3, 6-3.

Arcilla and Joven ran way with P20,000 top purse while Anasta and Alcoseba settled for the P10,000 runner-up prize.

Tierro’s win on the shell-clay courts stopped Arcilla’s bid for an unprecedented ninth PCA men’s singles title.

Tierro is now coaching Francis Casey Alcantara, who is one of the mainstays of the national and Davis Cup teams.

Both Tierro and Arcilla qualified for the main draw of the PCA Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Tour from Sept. 1 to 4 at the same venue.

“I’m particularly excited for this year’s edition as it features top players from our Asian neighbor countries,” said Cebuana Lhuillier CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.  “This will give our players the opportunity to raise the levels of their game.”