CEBU, Philippines – Veteran racquet-wielder Johnny Arcilla showed he's in a class of his own after he gamely bounced back from an opening set debacle to frustrate the younger and more aggressive Francis Casey 'Nino" Alcantara in an epic three-setter to clinch the men's open title of the inaugural Peugeot Philippine Tennis Open Cebu qualifying at the Cebu Country Club the other night.
The 23-year-old Alcantara played superb tennis in the first set, parlaying an early 4-1 lead into a 6-4 victory.
Arcilla, however, kept on going and patiently waited for the right time when to make his move and forge a decider. He succeeded on that aspect.
The eight-time PCA champion and longtime Davis Cupper battled through a nerve-wracking 76-4 win in the second set, and capitalizing on the fagged out Alcantara, he went on to finish his foe via a close 6-4 decision.
Aside from the medal, giveaways from Wilson and a slot to the national finals, Arcilla took home P20,000 cash prize.
Despite his setback, the Cagayan de Oro-native Alcantara still has something to be happy about as he and Cebuano partner Marc Norman Enriquez bested Arcilla and the fast-rising Jan Godfrey "Noy" Seno, 6-3, 1-6, 11-9 to grab the men's doubles crown. Alcantara and Enriquez got P11,000 for their efforts.— Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN)