Olivarez, Arcilla clash for men's singles title

EYES ON THE PRIZE  Top seed Eric Jed Olivarez is eyeing another title victory on his home court as he prepares to take on veteran Johnny Arcilla in the Mayor Eric Olivarez National Open Tennis Championships this Sunday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Eric Jed Olivarez is setting his sights on another title victory on his home court when he faces veteran Johnny Arcilla in the Mayor Eric Olivarez National Open Tennis Championships on Sunday.

  The top seed grew up playing at the Olivarez Sports Center indoor clay courts in Sucat, Parañaque where he also swept the singles and doubles (with Nilo Ledama) titles during the Rep. Edwin Olivarez Cup in December last year.

  On Friday, Olivarez bounced back from a first-set loss to prevail over No. 6 Alexis Acabo, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the semifinal round to forge a title showdown with Arcilla, the tournament second seed who beat No. 4 Vicente Anasta, 6-2, 6-2.

  Arcilla, a 10-time winner of the prestigious Philippine Columbian Association Open, defeated Olivarez, 6-3, 6-1, in the finals of the 2023 Lanao del Norte National Open in Tubod.

  But Olivarez avenged that loss two months later as he eliminated Arcilla, 6-3, 6-3, in the semifinal of the Cong. Edward Hagedorn Open in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and eventually won the title over Joshua Kinaadman, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.

  Meanwhile, No. 2 pair Olivarez and Bryan Saarenas will meet top seeds Arcilla and Francis Casey Alcantara in the doubles finals in the Group I event under the PPS-PEPP program of Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

  Olivarez and Saarenas downed Miguel Iglupas and Loucas  Julian Fernandez, 6-1, 6-2, while Arcilla and Alcantara survived Rolly Saga and Fritz Verdad, 7-6(4), 7-6(5).

  In the juniors’ division, top seed Jana Diaz conquered her semifinal opponents in the girls' Under 16 and U18 categories.

Diaz routed Cadee Dagoon, 6-0, 6-0, in the U16 and trounced Marielle Jarata, 6-1, 6-3, in the U18.

  No. 6 Erynne Ong, on the other hand, ousted No. 2 Sandra Bautista, 6-3, 6-2, in the U16 and beat AJ Acabo. 6-4, 6-1, in the U18.

  Also booking final berths were Dagoon and Ayl Gonzaga (U14), Etha Seno and Carolina Fandino (U12), and Yuan Torrente and Raven Licayan (Unisex U10).

  In the boys’ division, the finalists are Evan Bacalso and John Benedict Aguilar (U18), Al Tristan Licayan and Lucas Go (U16), Troan Vytiaco and Anthony Castigador (U14), and Daniel Sy and Jan Caleb Villeno (U12). PNA