BUTUAN City native Johnny Arcilla, country's No. 1 male netter, is not taking chances when he defends his singles title against Isulan, Sultan Kudarat bet Ronard "Toto" Joven in men's finals of the Merco-Selecta Davao Men's Tennis Challenge Invitational at Ecoland Phase 1 Tennis Club Courts.
Both have met thrice this year and Arcilla emerged victorious in all their past three meetings.
Joven, according to Arcilla, had only beaten him once back in 2008 or 2009.
"Threat gihapon siya nako oi kay kanang anybody's game ang court og paspas kaayoang bola (Joven remains a threat to me as this is anybody's game now with an unfamiliar court and a fast ball). Di namin kabisado ang court pero ang importante ang serve kailangan di ka mag-break kasi kung mag-break ka, mahirap nang mag-recover," Arcilla said in an interview with VoxPop Davao after his semifinals game.
Arcilla, also a Davis Cupper and PCA Open many-time champion, booked a finals berth after beating Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) men's fifth-ranked Leander Lazaro of National University, 6-4, 6-1, in their sun-scorched semifinals match yesterday.
No. 7 Joven, seeded second in the tournament, easily dispatched Michael Mesa of Davao City, 6-1, 6-1, in the other semifinals encounter.
Arcilla and Joven, who are really good friends outside the court, have known and played against each other countless times. They practice in Manila together, too.
"Alam na namin ang galaw ng isa't-isa. Dili lang magkumpyansa kay kung magdula mi close man pirmi ang scores (I can't be complacent though as we often have very tight matches)," Arcilla said, hoping that he pulls off another double feats this year.
His tandem with Janus Ringia of Marbel also arranged a doubles finals showdown with Joven and Davao City's Jonathan Palac having outlasted the pair of Mark Norman Enriquez and Gabriel Perez, 6-4, 6-4.
Joven-Palac, meanwhile, ousted Dabawenyo Michael Mesa and Warren Andrescio, 6-2, 6-4, in the netfest presented by Merco and Selecta and organized by Merco president Anton Ferrazzini, Ariel Roca, RegieCaingles and tournament director Boy Diong.
"Sana (magdouble champion ulit). Gwapoakong condition run (I feel fit and well-conditioned)," Arcilla said.
He also said that he's glad to be back in Davao and to be competing in his fifth straight Merco-Selecta tournament.
Cash prizes await winners of the annual competition.
