TOP seed Johnny Arcilla and No. 4 Marc Reyes scored similar straight-set wins over their respective semifinal opponents on Friday to arrange a title showdown for the men’s title of the 32nd Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis championships at the PCA clay covered courts in Plaza Dilao in Paco, Manila.
The two will meet for all the marbles on Sunday at 1 p.m. shortly after the women’s singles finals.
This marks the sixth time Arcilla and Reyes, both members of the PH Davis Cup team, will be playing against each other for the crown. Arcilla owns the head-to-head matchup between the two, 3-2.
Arcilla scored a 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 win over Reyes the last time they clash in the finals of the 4th Olivarez Cup Open Tennis Championship three months ago.
Arcilla, aiming to win a third straight – and eight overall – PCA men’s singles crown, took only 90 minutes to dispatch seventh seed Leander Lazaro, 6-4, 6-2 in their semifinal encounter.
Reyes, meanwhile, dispatched doubles partner and No. 2 seed Patrick John Tierro, 6-3, 6-3 in the other semifinal pairing.
The 20-year-old Lazaro managed to stay with Arcilla early on, forcing the reigning champion to a 4-4 tie in the opening set.
The 33-year-old Arcilla, however, used his wide array of shots to wrap up the first set as he wore out Lazaro by making his younger opponent scamper from end to end on the baseline.
Arcilla then cruised to the win by dominating the second set.
“Mas bata sa akin si Marc [Reyes] kaya kailangan ko talaga magpa-kundisyon at palakasin ang stamina ko,” said Arcilla after the game.
Reyes also wore out Tierro in their own semis match.
“Veteran siya (Arcilla) sa shell court at mas experienced pero bibigyan ko siya ng magandang laban,” said Reyes.
In the semis of the distaff side, Marian Jade Capadocia faces Khim Iglupas, while Anna Clarice Patrimonio battles Edilyn Balanga, with the winners advancing to the finals.
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