Arcilla, Tierro on PPS Dagitab collision course

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Johnny Arcilla and No. 2 Patrick John Tierro racked up a pair of victories in emphatic fashions and braced for another projected title showdown in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Dagitab Festival Open at the City of Naga Tennis Club in Cebu last Sunday.

Arcilla, seeing another sweep of the PPS-PEPP Open titles, eased out Norman Enriquez, 6-2, 6-3, then overpowered Mark Gayo, 6-2, 6-1, to arrange a Last 8 duel with No. 7 Bryan Otico, who dominated Amiel Ay-Ay, 6-1,6-0, and Lance Canizares, 6-0, 6-1.

Tierro, raring to get back at Arcilla, who beat him in the Olivarez Cup and Pintaflores Festival Open, booted out Marc Enriquez, 6-2, 6-4, then whipped Kim Saraza, 6-4, 6-0, for a quarters clash with unranked Marcen Gonzales, who scored one of the two reversals posted in the men’s side of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

Top seed Clarice Patrimonio and No. 2 Khim Iglupas also stayed in collision course in the ladies side with the former, who beat the latter in the TunaFest and Pintaflores Open after losing in the Olivarez Cup finals, crushing Zethley Alferez, 6-2, 6-3, for a quarters showdown with Khrizelle Sampaton, who beat Charmaine Valdez, 6-2, 6-0.

Iglupas, all primed up for the championship following a title romp in the Phinma International Week 2 recently, routed Elsie Abarquez, 6-2, 6-1, to set up a Last 8 clash with Aileen Rogan, who stopped Audrey Calma, 6-4, 7-6(4); while No. 3 Shaira Hope Rivera clobbered Nicole Eugenio, 6-2, 6-2, and will next face Chloe Saraza, who thwarted Nicole Amistad, 6-3, 6-4, for a berth in the semis of the event sanctioned by Philta and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger.

“It’s going to be another thrilling finale in both sides with the favorites and a couple of surprises still in the hunt,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. “While Arcilla and Tierro, and Patrimonio and Iglupas are all set to dispute the crowns, we also expect the other contenders to spring some surprises.”