THE stage is set for the country’s biggest tennis event of the year as powerhouse Filipino netters go up against foreign contenders in the 35th Philippine Columbian Association Open-Cebuana Lhuillier ATF Tour Thursday at the PCA indoor shell-clay court in Paco, Manila.
Newly crowned PCA men’s champion Patrick John Tierro and Davis Cup veteran Johnny Arcilla lead the locals’ campaign in the tournament sanctioned by Asian Tennis Federation and Philippine Lawn Tennis Association.
“I have always been excited every year for PCA Open as it is the biggest tournament. More so, the past two years as it has become an international tournament. This will give our local players the chance to pit their skills with the best from Asia and gain world ranking points,” boasted Cebuana Lhuillier President/CEO and Philta Chairman of the Board Jean Henri Lhuillier.
Indian stalwarts Parth Aggarwal and Medhir Goyal, Iranian Mohammadali Mamaghaninia, and Mustafa Alsaedi are expected to make things difficult for the Filipino bets.
“Sometimes, all these [Filipino] players need is an opportunity to showcase their talent. I really hope they will do well,” added Lhuillier, who is also a big supporter of the Philippine Mavericks that compete in the International Premier Tennis League.
“Mas matinding laban ang haharapin namin dito dahil foreign players na ang kalaban namin. Hindi namin alam ang laro nila kaya kailangan parating 100 percent ang ilabas naming laro,” said eight-time PCA titlist Arcilla, who copped the doubles’ title in the Manila ITF Week 2 last year with 2009 Australian Open Boy’s Doubles champ Francis Casey Alcantara.
Filipino-Italian Marc Reyes, Davis Cup standout Elbert Anasta, Kyle Parpan, Argil Lance Canizares, Rolando Ruel, Ronand Joven, Jose Maria Pague, Mark Ervin Concepcion and Eric Olivarez Jr. will also showcase their wares in the 32-man main draw.
Reyes and Anasta will be coming in hot after making it to the semifinals of the recently concluded PCA Open men’s singles.
Arcilla, the tournament’s top seed, earned an opening round bye, while Parpan battles Ruel (Center Court), and Reyes takes on Concepcion (Court 1) at 12 noon. The other matches are Anasta versus Mamaghaninia, Tierro versus Olivarez, Aggawal versus Joven, Canizares versus Goyal and Alsaedi versus Pague.
A total of $7,500 US dollars is at stake in the ATF event supported by The Philippine Star, Dunlop, Whirlpool-Fujidenzo, Chris Sports, Mary Grace, Aseana City, PVL Restaurant, Maverick, Compass, Babolat, Just Jewels, Rexona, Palm Rock, Coca Cola Femsa Philippines, Pearl Garden Hotel, Pearl Lane Hotel, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, L&M, Broadway Motors, Stronghold Insurance and Monte.
The top prize of $1,200 goes to the champion, while the runner-up pockets $900.
