Arcilla, Arevalo reign

MANILA, Philippines - Johnny Arcilla stopped Fil-Italian Mark Reyes’ giant-killing spree and essayed a surprisingly easy 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 victory yesterday while Czarina Mae Arevalo regained the ladies crown with a 6-2, 6-3 win over top seed Anna Christine Patrimonio in the Philippine Columbian Association Open finals at the PCA Plaza Dilao indoor courts.

It was Arcilla’s fourth straight championship in the annual event while Arevalo, who lost the crown to Bambi Zoleta last year, recorded her fifth title. Arcilla took home P100,000 while Arevalo won P50,000.

It was a sweet victory for Arevalo, who combined skills and experience to topple Patrimonio, who dislodged her for the fourth spot in the RP team competing in next month’s SEA Games in Laos.

The other members of the SEAG-bound team are Maricris Fernandez and Fil-Ams Riza Zalameda and Denise Dy.

“I was really motivated to win this one because I know I have the advantage in terms of experience,” said Arevalo, who won in 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007.

It was a double victory for Arevalo, who earlier teamed up with veteran Jennifer Saret to turn back Jonicka Guba and Trudy Amoranto, 6-4, 6-2, and win the doubles crown, their second in their last four team-ups.

Australian Juniors Open veteran Francis Casey Alcantara and Ronald Joven hammered out a shock 7-6 (2), 6-2 win over former two-time titlist Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro to capture the men’s doubles diadem.

Arevalo dominated Patrimonio with her crisp, blistering forehand shots and crosscourt winners that sent her rival off-balance and scrambling for returns.

So disappointed was Patrimonio that she threw her racket after losing the eighth game for a 3-5 deficit.

On her way to another title, Arevalo dumped Patrimonio’s younger sister, Anna Clarice, 6-1, 6-2 in the semis, struggled past third seed Aileen Rogan, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, while overpowering Samantha Coyiuto, 6-0, 6-1, and Julie Em Botor, 6-2, 6-1.