Tierro, Arcilla seal Palawan Tunafest title showdown

MANILA, Philippines -  Top seed PJ Tierro and No. 2 Johnny Arcilla fashioned out a pair of straight-set victories over their respective rivals to arrange a keenly awaited showdown for the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Tuna Festival 2014 crown at the Gen. Santos City courts in GenSan yesterday.

Tierro broke third seed Marc Reyes once in the opener of their semifinal clash then dominated the next frame to complete a 6-4, 6-2 victory while Arcilla trounced No. 7 Ronard Joven with a 6-3, 6-3 romp in the lower half of the men’s Open singles draw of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Padala and hosted by Gen. Santos City with Technifibre as official ball.

On their way to the finals, Tierro and Arcilla, seeking a follow-up to his three-peat feat in the Olivarez Cup recently, trampled their rivals to roll into the semis with the former overwhelming Stephen Tubbs, 6-1, 6-0, blanking Fel Christian Lopez, 6-0, 6-0, and whipping Arnel Berdan, 6-1, 6-1, while Arcilla, downed Jun Lagare, 6-1, 6-0, Lyndon Labandero, 6-0, 6-1, Bryan de Casa, 6-1, 6-3.

Reyes, meanwhile, ousted No. 5 Mark Alcoseba, 6-1, 6-2, while Joven upset No. 4 Rolando Ruel Jr., 7-6(2), 6-4.

“On behalf of the whole city of GenSan, we’d like to thank Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala for sponsoring this festival which drew the country’s best players,” said Roel Palaca, president of the GenSan Tennis Club.

The Tierro-Arcilla title clash serves as a fitting climax to an action-packed week that also saw the leading and rising junior players vie in various age-group divisions in the event held in conjunction with Gen. Santos City’s celebration of the Tuna Festival.

“It has been Palawan Pawnshop’s commitment to help develop the sport and discover fresh talents in the countryside,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro. “By providing our junior players top-level, ranking tournaments like this, we expand the base of our talents.”

Shaira Rivera lined herself up for a double in the Series 61 Palawan Pawnshop Tuna Festival regional age-group circuit, subduing Sharyl delos Santos, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the finals of the 18-and-under section against Patricia Velez, who won over Nicole Bautista, 6-1 (ret.)

Rivera scored a similar scoreline over Bautista in the 16-U side to reach the finals against the winner between Velez and delos Santos.

Velez, meanwhile, beat Marie Belimac, 6-0, 6-1, to barge into the semis of the 14-U category, along with Carlyn Bless Guarde, who thwarted Ma. Angelica Novis, 6-4, 6-3.

 Clarizza Caorte, who stunned No. 4 Jazelle Madis, 6-4, 2-6, 10-7; and Kathlenrey Arandia, who also shocked No. 3 Bautista, 6-4, 5-7, 11-9.