Jeson Patrombon got back at fellow national player and doubles partner Johnny Arcilla, hacking out a 6-3, 7-5 decision to claim the men’s singles crown in the PPS-PEPP Gov. Alfonso Umali Cup Tennis Championship at the Bahaghari Tennis Club in Oriental Mindoro last Sunday.
Patrombon, 26, shattered a tight 5-5 count by breaking Arcilla in the 11th game of the second set then overcame a 0-30 deficit in the 12th by taking the next four points to complete the straight-set victory and pocket the top P40,000 purse in the event held in conjunction with the Pinamalayan Festival celebrations.
The top seeded Patrombon and the No. 2 Arcilla lived up to their billing by dominating their rivals from the first round of the 32-player draw with the former romping off with lopsided wins over L.A. Pascua, Marc Suson, Leander Lazaro and Mark Alcoseba and the latter crushing Jonel Paulino, Dawson Ormoc Rodolfo Barquin and sibling Joseph Arcilla.
But Patrombon proved steadier and tougher in the finals, breaking Arcilla in the second game of the opening frame then holding serve the rest of the way before outlasting his fellow Davis Cup veteran, who beat him 6-3, 6-4 here last year, in the second set.
Alcoseba and Noel Damian Jr., however, foiled the fancied Patrombon and Arcilla in the doubles, pulling off a stunning 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 victory to share the spotlight in the week-long event sponsored by Gov. Umali and the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro.
The event also capped a two-week tennis festival that also saw Althea Rose Martirez score a two-title feat in the juniors division and share the MVP honors with Allen Rombawa and Benedict Santiago.
Meanwhile, action in the PPS-PEPP age-group circuit resumed in Pulilan, Bulacan yesterday (Monday) while Zamboanga del Norte will host another age-grouper on April 24-27. For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.
