Arcilla, Tierro cruise to semis in PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Johnny Arcilla dismantled No. 8 Rocky Paglalunan with his power game to fashion out a 6-1, 6-3 romp and coast to the semifinal round of the PCA Open at the PCA Plaza Dilao indoor courts in Paco, Manila yesterday.

The victory set up Arcilla against the winner between third seed Elbert Anasta and Australian Open juniors veteran Francis Casey Alcantara, who are still playing at presstime.

Patrick John Tierro also advanced to the semis with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 5 Ralph Kevin Barte with the second seeded bet facing the winner of the Rolando Ruel Jr.-Mark Reyes duel for a berth in the finals of the P500,000 tournament.

Earlier, former RP No. 1 Czarina Mae Arevalo overcame Aileen Rogan’s gritty stand and escaped with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win to stay on course for an unprecedented fifth title in the women’s side of the tournament backed by The Philippine STAR, Pera Padala, Alagang Cebuana Plus, Just Jewels, Le Soleil De Boracay, Phiten, Accel, Coca-Cola Bottlers, Dunlop, San Miguel, Universal Paint, Pagcor, Pet One, Little Lawrence, Babolat, Philta, Whirlpool, Pixel Project, Burlington Sports Socks, RFM Corp, Shirt Republik, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, The Manila Times, Malaya, Tribune and Solar Sports.

Arevalo, who studied and trained in Bangkok, Thailand, will take on the winner between reigning women’s titlist 18-year-old Bambi Zoleta and up-and-coming Anna Clarice Patrimonio.

Top seed Anna Christine Patrimonio, for her part, routed No. 7 Regina Santiago, 6-3, 6-1, to arrange an equally interesting semis duel with No. 6 Jessica Agra, who thwarted No. 4 Michelle Pang, 6-3, 6-7 (8), 6-3.