MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Johnny Arcilla shoots for a fifth straight crown as action in the men’s seniors begins today in the 28th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at the PCA indoor clay-shell courts in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila.
Arcilla faces a strong field that includes Fil-Am Lawrence Formentera and Marc Reyes of Italy.
In women’s play, which starts Tuesday, top seed Bambi Zoleta gears up for possible head-to-head duels with comebacking four-time PCA Open champion Maricris Fernandez and Fil-Am Riza Zalameda.
“There will be many interesting matches to look out for. The inclusion of Fil-Ams in the lineup provides the diversity that the local tennis players need to boost our game,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, the tournament’s presentor for the second year.
Among the strong contenders in the men’s division are Philippine Lawn Tennis Association vice president Randy Villanueva, Lolito Abadia, Roderick Agna, Miguel Narvaez, Fritz Verdad, Charlie Niu, Richard Inciong and Gregorio Deofilo.
Louise Alexandra Lopez, Zhane Quitara, Maria Akita San Andres and Mary Grace Rivero are the other players to watch in the distaff side.
The champion in the men’s division will get P100,000 while the ladies’ singles titlist will receive P50,000 in the tournament sponsored Pera Padala, Alagang Cebuana Plus, Just Jewels, Le Soleil De Boracay, Phiten, Accel, Coca-Cola Bottlers, Dunlop, San Miguel, Universal Paint, Pagcor, Pet One, Little Lawrence, Babolat, Philta, Whirlpool, Pixel Project, Burlington Sports Socks, RFM Corp and Shirt Republik. Media sponsors are Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, The Manila Times, Malaya, Tribune, The Philippine STAR and Solar Sports.