MANILA, Philippines - Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro continued their march towards a projected finals duel yesterday even as upsets hit the women’s singles form chart in the first Metro Open People’s Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The top-seeded Arcilla demolished eighth pick Rocky Paglalunan, 6-1, 6-2, and No. 2 Tierro ousted seventh pick Ronald Joven, 7-6 (5) , 7-5, to advance to the semifinals of this P302,000 tournament.
Arcilla, also the country’s top male player, arranged a Final 4 meeting with Jaime Solon, who shocked third pick Rolando Ruel Jr., 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3).
Tierro faces fourth pick Ralph Kevin Barte, a 6-4, 7-5 winner over No. 5 Elbert Anasta.
Stealing the spotlight from the men’s hostilities were Ma. Regina Santiago and Anna Christine Patrimonio who ousted seeded campaigners to claim semifinals berths.
Santiago shocked top seed Bambi Zoleta, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, while Patrimonio scraped past a cramps-stricken second pick Michelle Pang, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-4.
The win propped up Santiago to a semifinals date with the winner between No. 3 Aileen Rogan and No. 6 Trudygine Amoranto while Patrimonio collides with fifth pick Jessica Marie Agra, who defeated Marinel Rudas, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2.