Arcilla whips Olivarez, grabs Lanao Open crown

JOHNNY Arcilla recalled his fierce form coming off a recent setback, pounding out a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Eric Jed Olivarez to capture the Lanao del Norte National Open championship at the MCC courts in Tubod last Thursday.

The veteran Davis Cup campaigner and many-time PCA Open champion flashed vintage form in overwhelming Olivarez, breaking his younger rival twice in the opening set and then dominating the next from fourth game on to rule the event, also billed as Gov. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo Open, and add another ware to his trophy- filled cabinet.

The victory, worth P50,000, came after he bowed to eventual winner John Bryan Otico in the semis of the Malita Open in Davao Occidental a couple of weeks ago. But he buckled down to work and worked on his stamina, beating John Atay, 6-1, 6-1, holding off Jude Ceniza, 6-0, 5-7, 10-5, and crushing Eric Tangub, 6-2, 6-3, before sealing a championship clash with Olivarez.

The 43-year-old Arcilla, who racked up five Open crowns last year while bundling out younger, stronger rivals, took control of the finals match after

ATENEO Blue Eagles Angelo Kouame, Geo Chiu, Jason Credo, Jacob Lao, Matthew Daves, and JC Fetalvero are set to receive their Ateneo de Manila University diplomas during the graduation rites of the school on Friday evening.

Naturalized Filipino Kouame, 25, finished with a degree in AB Interdisciplinary Studies.

“It’s been an amazing journey in the Ateneo. Made a lot of friends and I found a family here,” said Kouame, a former UAAP Most Valuable Player.

“Thankful to everyone in the community and the people who made it possible for me to be in this position.”

Kouame will immediately join Gilas Pilipinas in Lithuania this weekend.

Chiu and Credo, who will still play for the Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 86 as Master student-athletes, graduated with degrees in AB IS and AB Communication, respectively.

Daves, who is currently playing Makati in the MPBL, also finished with a degree in AB IS.

Lao, currently the team manager of PBA team Converge, received a degree in BS Restaurant Entrepreneurship. Finally, Fetalvero, who is playing for Phoenix Super scoring a break in the fifth game, held serve twice before breaking Olivarez again in the ninth. He broke Olivarez again in the fourth game of the second set and swept the next three to post another top podium finish after claiming the Escudero Cup crown in San Pablo City last February. With Nilo Ledama, Arcilla completed a double victory as they toppled Olivarez and Vicente Anasta, 6-2, 6-4, in the men’s doubles finals of the 10day event, also held in conjunction with Lanao del Norte’s 64th founding anniversary, and part of the PPS-PEPP circuit of the country’s longest talent-

LPG in the ongoing PBA on Tour, finished with an A.B. Management Economics degree.

Proud is Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin of his now-former wards, confident that they will be successful in whatever path they choose.

“The relationships I have with these players are treasures of my career,” said Baldwin. “I think they bring honor to our team and to the sport with the work that they do. They humble me with their dedication to this university.

“Wish them nothing but success for what lies ahead.”

“Most people tend to walk away from difficulties and adversities in sports or academics. However, there are those exceptional athletes who not only rise above these challenges but also emerge victorious, even during the trying times of the COVID era,” added Blue Eagles team manager Christopher Quimpo.

“Their triumph in the UAAP serves as a testament that overcoming obstacles is possible. It underscores the idea that it is our response to adversity that shapes us into the individuals we ultimately become.” search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

A total of 46 athlete-scholars are part of Ateneo’s batch of 2023.

Sharing top honors in men’s doubles were Noel Salupado and Arvin Secuya (Legends 30s), Ome Buhat and Marlon Alforo (Legends 40s), Efren Veradio and Bing delos Santos (Legends 50s) and Roy Bautete and Camilo Lascite (Legends 60s).

Meanwhile, action shifts to Marawi City beginning today (Saturday) with the staging of the 64th Lanao del Sur National Open at the MSU courts. For details and listup, contact tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay at 09154046464.

Charlisse Leger-Walker drilled in 34 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals for the Ferns, while Akiene Tera Reed added 23 points and seven rebounds.

The Filipinas stayed close at 74-76, before Leger-Walker and Penina Davidson turned on the heat in the last four minutes.

Leger-Walker drew Angelica Surada to a foul and split her charity shots, allowing the Ferns to slowly move away, 77-74, in the final 3:31.

The Filipinas, who missed three of four crucial attempts in the closing minutes, slipped further behind as Davidson and Leger-Walker continued piercing through the defense, sending the Ferns ahead, 81-74, with 2:45 remaining.

Afril Bernardino delivered 15 points and eight rebounds for the Gilas Women, who will meet the winner between Australia and South Korea in a clash for fifth place on Saturday.

Jhazmin Joson also shot 15 points, while Jack Animam made 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Newbie Vanessa de Jesus, a Duke University standout, was held to just four points.