MEN’S defending champion Johnny Arcilla of Butuan City arranged a title showdown with 2018 runner-up John Bryan Otico of Bukidnon while Shaira Hope Rivera of Monkayo, Compostella Valley collided with her elimination round victim Marian Jade Capadocia of Antique for the women’s crown as of yesterday presstime in the 3rd James Gamao Invitational Tennis Tournament held in Panabo City.
Arcilla, who topped group B with three wins without a loss, defeated Davao City’s Mark Anthony Alcoseba, 7-5, 6-1, in their semifinals while Otico eliminated Leander Lazaro, 6-1, 6-3, in the other semis game.
Meanwhile, current women’s No. 5 Rivera of Ateneo de Manila University, based on April 23 Unified Tennis of the Philippines ranking, upset No. 4 and Uaap three-time MVP Anna Clarice Patrimonio of the National University, 7-5, 6-1 in the semifinals.
Rivera, in a Facebook interview with Sunstar Davao, said, “Naningkamot ko pag-ayo (I worked so hard to win)”, considering that it was a tight first set.
The 20-year-old Rivera, who had a stint with the Sta. Ana National High School in Davao City, also said she did not expect to reach the finals.
“Target nako kay semis na okay na unta ko pero nakafinals man ko (I only aimed making it to the semis but I even advance into the finals),” she said, adding that she is ready to meet Capadocia again after beating the latter during the group eliminations.
Women’s No. 3 Capadocia, for her part, advanced to the finals by routing Allyssa Mae Bornia of Iligan City, 6-1, 6-2, in the event organized by the For the Love of Tennis (Flot) and co-presented by Merco and Selecta.
“Wala ko kabalo sa chances kay maayo kaayo si Ate Marian. Walay sure kay kabalo ko na this time dili na sya papildi for sure (I’m not certain about my chances against Ate Marian she is just too strong. What I’m sure is that she doesn’t want to lose again),” she added.