MANILA, Philippines - Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla are expected to renew their rivalry as they lead the roster of top players in the PCA Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Tour firing off Thursday at the Philippine Columbian Association courts in Paco, Manila.
The 31-year-old Tierro got back at Arcilla, 6-2, 7-6(5), to cop the men’s singles crown in the 35th PCA Open last weekend.
Tierro went on attack mode and produced winners and clinched crucial points en route to a straight-set triumph to clinch his second singles crown while foiling Arcilla’s bid for a record ninth title.
“I took a gamble. I needed to be aggressive and it’s either make or break. And I’m happy it worked,” said Tierro, who last won here in 2014.
Tierro, who dropped a four-setter to Arcilla in the finals of the recent Olivarez Cup, used his strong baseline attacks to sweep the first three games.
The 36-year-old Arcilla fought back and took two of the next three games but Tierro countered and won the next two.
Arcilla shook off the sting of the first set loss and went on to grab an early 5-3 lead in the second set and looked headed to forcing a decider.
But Tierro recovered and struck back to win the next three games, 6-5. Although Arcilla held serve to force a 6-all count, he ran out of gas and made a couple of unforced errors, enabling Tierro to pound out the win.
“I played good but he played better and I made a lot of errors,” said Arcilla.
Tiero pocketed the P50,000 top prize while Arcilla settled for P25,000 in the tournament supported by The Philippine Star, Dunlop, Whirlpool-Fujidenzo, Chris Sports, Mary Grace, Aseana City, PVL Restaurant, Maverick, Compass, Babolat, Just Jewels, Rexona, Palm Rock, Coca Cola Femsa Philippines, Pearl Garden Hotel, Pearl Lane Hotel, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, L&M, Broadway Motors, Stronghold Insurance and Monte.
Meanwhile, Tierro and Arcilla brace up for another possible showdown in the PCA Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Tour slated Sept. 1-4, also at the PCA courts.