CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro thrashed separate rivals to set up a dream title showdown in the singles event of the 4th Cebuana Lhuillier Men’s Open Tennis Championships yesterday at the Baseline tennis courts.
Arcilla is on course for back-to-back championships after sending home Rolando Ruel, Jr. in sterling fashion, 6-0, 6-0, while Tierro advanced into the final round after kicking out the unseeded Joseph Victorino, 6-1, 6-0.
Victorino earlier caught the attention of the crowd and participants as well after he eliminated the second-ranked Onyok Anasta.
Minus the Davis Cup, Arcilla had been winning all events he joined, the latest of which was a tournament in Cainta against Anasta.
Arcilla and Tierro may face each other in the finals but they are expected to put their acts together in the doubles event against Ralph Kevin Barte and Kim Ivor Saraza.
The other doubles semifinal features Rolando Ruel and Alexander Lazaro against Onyok Anasta and Ronard Joven.
Business tycoon Jean Henri Lhuillier, meanwhile, will show that he is not only out as the main sponsor of the event but also a tough competitor on the court.
Lhuillier will team up with his trusted-partner Jun Toledo. They finished second in the seniors 35-above category in last year's edition of the annual tilt. (FREEMAN)