Arcilla, Arevalo bag titles
VETERANS Johnny Arcilla and Czarina Mae Arevalo humbled their finals opponents yesterday and won their fifth Philippine Columbian Association open titles at the PCA court in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila.
Arcilla defeated Milan-based Marc Reyes 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in the men’s singles final while Arevalo walloped RP No. 1 Anna Christine Patrimonio 6-2, 6-3 in the ladies’ singles title match.
They surpassed the feats of Korean Chung Hee Seek who ruled the men’s competition in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005, and Jennifer Saret (1989-1992) and Maricris Fernandez (1994-1997 and 1999) in the distaff side.
Arcilla bagged P100,000 while Arevalo took home P50,000 in the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier.
Arcilla, 29, used his mastery of the court and championship experience to dodge the upset ax wielded by Reyes.
"Na-challege ako sa kanya (Reyes) dahil marami siyang na-upset. I just played my game, I tried to dictate the tempo of the match," said Arcilla, who cruised to his fourth straight PCA title. He first won the competition in 2001.
Reyes, 20, stunned fourth seed Celestino Solon, 15th pick Pop Sabandon, No. 6 Rolando Ruel Jr. and second seed Patrick John Tierro to arrange a titular showdown with Arcilla.
Arevalo’s win silenced her critics who had cast doubts on her ability by not including him the SEA Games-bound team.
"Motivated ako going into this game dahil may gusto akong patunayan hindi lang sa sarili ko kundi maging sa mga taong hindi naniniwala sa kakayahan ko," said Arevalo, now based in Bangkok. She also reigned supreme in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007.
In men’s doubles, Australian Open junior doubles champion Francis Casey Alcantara and partner Ronard Joven carved out a 7-6 (2), 6-2 win to dethrone the two-time champion pair of Arcilla and Tierro.
Arevalo and Jennifer Saret ruled the women’s doubles with a 6-4, 6-2 decision over the tandem of Jonicka Guba and Trudy Amoranto.