Arcilla defends Gov. Dimaporo Open tennis title
2024-Jul-06 09:00
WINNER. Johnny Arcilla lifts the men's singles trophy during the awarding ceremony of the Gov. Imelda Dimaporo National Open at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte on Thursday (July 4, 2024). He won after his final opponent, Alexis Acabo, quit following the opening set, 6-1. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Johnny Arcilla collected his second straight title on Thursday after his opponent, Alexis Acabo, quit in the men's singles finals of the Gov. Imelda Dimaporo National Open at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
The fifth-seeded Acabo, who scored a 6-4, 6-3 win over Eric Jed Olivarez in the semifinal round, decided to quit following the 6-1 first-set victory of Arcilla.
"When I talked to him, he just said he didn't want to play anymore. He didn't ask for an injury timeout, nor did he inform the umpire. He just quit. Johnny (Arcilla) even told him to finish the game because it was embarrassing with so many spectators and sponsors watching. But he gave the same response – he didn't want to play anymore," tournament director Bobby Mangunay said.
Arcilla, the 10-time PCA Open champion, marched to the finals after prevailing over doubles partner Nilo Ledama in the semis, 6-4, 6-4.
Meanwhile, Fritz Verdad and Rolly Saga outplayed Jose Maria Pague and Eric Tangub, 7-5, 6-3, to secure the men's doubles title while Nicole Ann Bautista and Nichole dela Rita downed Minette Bentillo and Judy Ann Padilla, 6-3, 6-3, in the women's doubles finals.
In the Legends division, Wilbur Orillano and Alexander Diego ruled the men's doubles 30s, while Dencio Canilas and Roy Denopol topped the 40s division. Other winners were Alvin Lomongo and Remas Generelao (50s), Roy Baulete and Camilo Lasquite (60s), and the pair of Bentillo and Benedict Lim in mixed doubles. (PNA)