Davis Cupper Vicente Anasta braces for a spirited battle against fellow veteran campaigners and a slew of rising stars as they slug it out in the PPS-PEPP Escudero Cup 2019 beginning today (Saturday, May 4) at the Aera Tennis Club in San Pablo City.
Mark Alcoseba, Noel Damian Jr., Deo Talatayod, Emmanuel Fuelas, Edgardo Angara, Keno Enriquez and siblings Aldrin and Elvin Geluz toughen up the cast in the 32-player draw of what used to serve as one of the country’s premier tournaments making its comeback after a 13-year absence.
Though some of the top guns have begged off to honor previous commitments, the depth of the competing field remains as talent-laden as ever with Anasta, from Himaymaylan, Negros Occidental, expecting a fierce challenge from the rest of the bidders in the week-long event presented by Royal Air and backed by Rep. Sol Aragones and Villa Escudero.
“The event’s revival comes at a time when tennis is enjoying a tremendous boom with tournaments held every week particularly this summer,” said Bobby Castro, president/CEO of Palawan Pawnshop, whose year-long, nationwide Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala circuit has continued to provide the sport a wide base of talents, especially from the countryside.
Meanwhile, listup is ongoing for the PPS-PEPP Brookside Hills Open on May 13-19 in Cainta, Rizal while the two-weekend PPS-PEPP UP National Student Open (Valenzuela) will be played on May 18-19 and on May 25-26.
For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.
Others vying in the Escudero Cup are Stefano Gurria, Marco Macalintal, Jude Ceniza, Harvey Gilbuena, MJ Occio, RJ Virey, Samuel Nillasca, Cesar Mestiola and Emo Adarmeo, all ready to spring a surprise or two over the fancied bets and earn a crack for the top P10,000 purse.
Meanwhile, Alcoseba and Damian seek a second straight crown in the accompanying doubles tournament backed by Dunlop as official ball with the duo hoping to ride the momentum of their romp in the Gov. Umali Cup recently.
Spicing up the event is the Legends tournament featuring the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s categories which also offers P10,000 to the winners.