BUTUAN City's Johnny Arcilla, seeded second, will have another shot for glory after he booked a finals berth in the 2nd Mayor James Gamao Cup National Invitational Tennis Championship at the Panabo City twin courts late Friday.
Arcilla, a Davis Cup veteran, turned back fourth-seeded Vicente Elberto Anasta of Negros Occidental, 6-4, 6-4, in their semifinals match.
He was playing against rising Filipino netter John Bryan Otico of Maramag, Bukidnon, who upset defending champion Patrick John Tierro of Subic, 6-4, 6-4, in the championship match as of Saturday.
Arcilla, 28, is expected to lean on his vast championship experience while 18-year-old Otico will capitalize on his youth and endurance.
Otico was also set to fight for another title as his tandem with Rolly John Saga survived a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Arcilla and Dheo Talatayod in men's doubles semifinals.
In the other doubles semifinals, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jan Godfrey Seno dominated John Jeric Accion of Davao City and Fritz Verdad, 6-2, 1-0 retire.
The tournament, organized by the For the Love of Tennis (Flot) Group, stakes a total cash prize of P150,000.
Merco and Selecta co-present the four-day netfest.