Veterans, young turks clash in Olivarez Cup semis

MANILA, Philippines - Fancied PJ Tierro and Johnny Arcilla overwhelmed their respective rivals with their power game and rolled into the semifinals against two young bloods ready to take over in the sixth Olivarez Cup Tennis Championship at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque City yesterday.

The top seeded Tierro eased out Bryan Otico with a 6-3, 6-1 victory to seal a Final Four duel with a surging Jurence Mendoza of Olongapo, who added No. 10 Arvin Ruel to his growing list of seeded victims via a 6-3, 6-2 triumph in their side of the quarters clash in the event presented by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala through COO Bobby Castro and sanctioned by Philta.

Arcilla, who has lorded it over Philippine tennis for a long time, scored a 6-2, 2-1 (ret.) win over Ronard Joven to arrange a semis clash with wild card Francis Alcantara from Cagayan de Oro, who upended No. 4 Mark Alcoseba, 6-2, 6-2, in the quarters then stunned fifth ranked Rolando Ruel Jr. 6-2, 6-0.

Though they boast of experience on top of their talent, Davis Cuppers Tierro and Arcilla face formidable semis rivals with the 23-year-old Mendoza, from Oklahoma State, raring to mix it up with Tierro shot for shot and stroke for stroke.

Alcantara, who honed his skills playing for the Pepperdine U, is also itching to put one over Arcilla in today’s featured matches starting at 11 a.m.

“This is going to be a great matchup,” said Philta president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez. “Tierro and Arcilla may have the experience but Mendoza and Alcantara have the exuberance of the youth and are ready to prove their worth.”

Top seed Khim Iglupas also sustained her form in the event backed by Dunlop Fort Clay Court as the official ball, Stronghold Insurance and Aseana City as she blasted Christine Patrimonio, 6-3, 6-1, to advance to the semis against sixth seed Maia Balce, who shocked No. 3 Edilyn Balanga, 6-2, 6-2.