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PARANAQUE, PHILIPPINES: Tennis aficionados were treated to a world-class tennis match between Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla during the Mens' Singles finals of the Olivarez Open Tennis Championships at the Olivarez College Sports Center yesterday. The top-seeded Tierro, who recently gained an ATP world ranking, defeated Davis Cup teammate and no.2 seed Johnny Arcilla in straight but gruelling sets, 7-5, 6-4 to claim the Olivarez Trophy sponsored by former Mayor Pablo Olivarez, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dunlop and the Philippine Tennis Association.
The tightly contested match produced an array of superb shots from both players with Tierro gunning forehand winners and Arcilla showing great touch and sharp eyes with volley winners. Tierro, the Subic Bay area native whose overseas travels is funded by sportsman Jean Henri Lhuillier, raced to 3-1 lead in the first set but Arcilla levelled back by breaking Tierro's serve on the 6th game after several deuces as Arcilla strated attacking the net on every opportunity. The tactic worked as Arcillla raced to a 5-4 lead. With new balls and sensing Arcilla's momentum, the 6-foot-1 tall Tierro served 3 aces and a forehand winner to level back at 5-5.
On the 11th game, Tierro got a few breaks as he passed Arcilla from a difficult stance hitting an errant forehand which landed on the line for a winner. Tierro had to work extra hard to hold his serve as Arcilla kept pressing on to the net. With a set point at 40-30, Arcilla beautifully executed an approach shot on Tierro's second serve but the latter came up with a spectacular cross-court backhand passing shot to to take the first. In the second set, Tierro raced to a 5-1 lead with some attacking play on his own but Arcilla just wouldn't give up as he broke Tierro on the 8th game and held his own serve at love to make the score 4-5. Tierro served for the match with 2 service winners to win his 3rd PHILTA sanctioned tennis title as he pocketed the P25,000 first prize.
In women's singles open, Bien Zoleta outlasted Melissa Orteza 3-6 6-2 retired, as Orteza could not continue for the 3rd set due to leg cramps as the heat and humidity took its toll . Bien Zoleta had to endure her younger sister Bambi in the semis in three sets while Orteza, ex-Mayor Olivarez's granddaughter, defeated up and coming Jessica Agra in two sets in the other semi-final match-up. Bien and Bambi Zoleta won the Doubles title also edging former Fed Cup player Eva Olivarez-Ilas and Melissa Orteza.
In the Men's doubles finals, Arcilla and Davis Cup doubles teammate Adelo Abadia defeated Tierro and partner-coach Beeyong Sison 6-3 7-5 in a highly entertaining match . The age-less 49-year old former ATP tour player, who is still competing in a high-level against players twice his age, showed he still could hold his own and proved that tennis can be played at a high level even at an advanced age.
Event Results:
Olivarez Open Tennis Championships,
Olivarez College Sports Center,
Sucat Road, Paranaque City,
October 15-22, 2005
Men's Finals
PJ Tierro def. Johnny Arcilla: 7-5, 6-4
Men's Semi-Finals
PJ Tierro def. Rolando Ruel 6-0 6-2
Johnny Arcilla def. Chiemil Mantua 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
Men's Doubles Finals
Adelo Abadia/Johnny Arcilla def. Beeyong Sison/PJ Tierro,
6-3, 7-5
Men's Doubles Semi-Finals
Abadia-Arcilla def. Yannick Guba-Nico Riego de Dios 7-5 7-5
Sison-Tierro def. Jesse Lapore-E. Anasta 6-2 2-6 6-3
Women's Finals
Bien Zoleta def. Melissa Orteza, 3-6, 6-2, ret.
Women's Doubles Finals
Bien Zoleta/Bambi Zoleta def. Eva Ilas/Melissa Orteza,
6-4, 7-5.
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