DAVIS Cup veteran Johnny Arcilla and junior netter Jurence Mendoza scored contrasting wins Friday to reach the men’s singles finals of the 30th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships at the PCA indoor shell clay court in Paco, Manila.
The 31-year-old Arcilla nailed a convincing 6-0, 6-3 victory over fourth pick Rolando Ruel Jr. in the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier.

“I just pressed him with big shots and minimize my errors. It’s a good win going into the finals,” said Arcilla, who dominated the 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 editions of the tournament.

Mendoza, on the other hand, continued his giant-killing spree by ousting No. 3 Patrick John Tierro, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The 15-year-old Mendoza was actually taken aback by the aggressiveness of Tierro that threw him off his game in the second set. The junior netter’s resiliency and determination paid off sending his highly touted opponent packing.

“I relaxed a bit in the second set and threw some points but I was able to get my groove back in the third set. I tried to pressure him and it worked,” said Mendoza.

The Arcilla-Mendoza final match is set on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Semifinal action in the ladies’ singles fires up today with No. 1 Clarice Patrimonio and No. 2 Marian Capadocia leading the pack. Patrimonio takes on No. 5 Tamitha Olivarez-Nguyen at 10 a.m. tight after the match between Capadocia and Mariel Ante at 9 a.m.

A total of P500,000 is up for grabs this year with the men’s singles champion getting P100,000 and the ladies’ singles winner receving P50,000.

In the juniors division, Samantha Coyuito toppled Macy Gonzales, 6-2, 6-1, for the girls’ 18-under crown while Roxanne Resma blasted Jzash Canja, 6-0, 6-4, for the girls’ 16-under plum.