Rudas stuns Patrimonio, reaches finals

MANILA, Philippines - Marinel Rudas pulled off a stunning 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(5) victory over top seed Clarice Patrimonio to barge into the finals of the women’s division in the fifth Gov. Anacleto Alcala Memorial Cup tennis tournament at the Lucena City Tennis Club in Lucena City yesterday.

Rudas, who saw off Aileen Rogan, 7-5, 6-1, in the quarters, recovered from a second set setback but needed to go through a cliffhanger of a tiebreaker to nip the fancied Patrimonio in a grueling three-hour, 15-minute encounter.

Marian Capadocia took the other final slot with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Alyssa Labay in the Group B event held as part of Rep. Irvin Alcala and Vice Gov. Vicente Alcala’s sports development program in Lucena.

In men’s play, Johnny Arcilla smothered Rolando Ruel with another solid game, cruising to a 6-0, 6-2 triumph to set up a title showdown with Patrick Tierro in the event sponsored by Pueblo Por La Playa and St. Jude Satellite City.

Arcilla, who dropped only six games heading to the semis, played a near-flawless game in the opening set then held sway in the second to complete his third straight-set victory.

But he is expected to have his hands full as he goes for the crown against Tierro, who stunned second seed Vicente Anasta with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Anasta survived a grueling three-setter against Roel Capangpangan, 3-6, 7-5, 6-5, in the quarters that somehow took its toll when he faced a fresher Tierro, who romped off with a 6-1, 6-1 rout of Mark Alcoseba.