MANILA, Philippines – Ang posibleng paghaharap nina defending champion Johnny Arcilla at PJ Tierro ang aabangan sa pagdaraos ng 33rd Philippine Columbian Association Open men’s singles tennis tournament na inihahandog ng Cebuana Lhuillier at Metro Global Holdings na bubuksan sa darating na Sabado sa Plaza Dilao courts sa Paco, Manila.
Magbabalik si Arcilla sa PCA kung saan siya kumuha ng record na walong korona, habang tatayo namang top seed si Tierro, isang Davis Cup veteran dahil sa kanyang mataas na Philta rankings.
Unang makakalaban ni Tierro si Joshua Cano at makakatapat naman ng second pick na si Arcilla si Miguel dela Paz sa pag-uumpisa ng main draw.
Kakampanya rin sa torneong may total cash pot na P600,000, ang P100,000 ay ibibigay sa men’s champion at ang P50,000 ay sa women’s titlist, sina Marc Reyes, Nelbert Anasta, AJ Lim at Rolando Ruel, Jr.
Idedepensa naman ni Marian Jade Capadocia ang kanyang korona sa women’s division na kinabibilangan din nina Anne Clarice at Christine Patrimonio, Maika Tanpoco at Marinel Rudas.
“Cebuana Lhuillier has been a long-time partner of the PCA in its annual tournament for seven years now because we believe in its goal of provi-ding a proper venue for competition for junior Filipino netters,” sabi ni Jean Henri Lhuillier ng sponsor na Cebuana Lhuillier sa press conference kahapon.
“Youth development through sports is also both a personal advocacy of mine and part of the corporate social responsibility of Cebuana Lhuillier, and the PCA Open complements that,” dagdag pa nito.
Dumalo rin sina PCA president Philip Ycasiano at chairman Raul Diaz at Phl Sports commissioner Salvador “Buddy” Andrada.