Arcilla repulses Anasta, sweeps PPS-PEPP Open

MANILA, Philippines – Johnny Arcilla fended off Vicente Anasta’s spirited challenge and hacked out a tough 6-4, 7-5 victory to capture the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Dagitab Festival Open tennis crown and complete his sweep of the three PPS-PEPP Open titles at the Naga City Tennis Club in Cebu yesterday.

Arcilla, who also survived a fierce-fighting doubles partner Ronard Joven, 6-4, 6-3, in the semis, used a variety of shots to defuse Anasta, breaking him once in the opening frame then pulling through in a thrilling second set duel to clinch the victory that capped his domination of the circuit’s three Open tournaments this year.

“I thank PPS-PEPP for putting up this circuit through the years, not only for us, but also for the youth, especially from the countryside, who could be our next members of the national pool and team,” said Arcilla, who pocketed another P40,000 for his week-long feat. “This win also makes my Christmas doubly memorable as I was able to win all three Open titles this year.”

Arcilla, the many-time PCA Open champion, has earlier won the Tuna Festival Open and the Pintaflores Open Championship in Gen. Santos City and San Carlos, respectively.

He actually scored a double as he teamed up with Joven to defeat Anasta and PJ Tierro, 7-6(1), 6-1, for the men’s doubles plum of the tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and hosted by Mayor Valdemar Chiong as part of the city’s Dagitab Festival celebrations. They won P20,000.

“Arcilla has time and again proved that through hard work, discipline and determination, he can still dominate and his string of victories should inspire our young players,” said Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.

Inspired by the resounding success of the year-long circuit, Castro said that a 45-leg, nationwide tour is being lined up next season with the Open tournaments expanded to eight events.

Anasta earlier scored a 0-6, 5-2 (ret.) win over the top-seeded Tierro to arrange a title clash with Arcilla. Anasta settled for P20,000 while Tierro and Joven received P10,000 each, according to Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP organizer and sports program development director.