MANILA, Philippines - Patrick John Tierro braces for a tough outing as he kicks off his title-retention drive in the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event which gets going today at the PCA Open clay courts in Paco, Manila.
Tierro, 30, is all primed up for a title repeat although he will go up against a field headed by former eight-time winner Johnny Arcilla and former Australian Open juniors titlist Francis Casey Alcantara.
Arcilla and Alcantara split the titles in two big tournaments leading to this year’s PCA Open with the former foiling the latter to capture the Tunafest Open crown in Gen. Santos two weeks ago and Alcantara humbling Tierro in the Olivarez Cup finals last month.
But with slots in the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 at stake in the PCA Open, the title chase in the men’s singles of the event, supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, The Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, is expected to be keen and fierce.
“We at Cebuana Lhuillier are excited to renew our commitment to support PCA Open especially with this year’s edition being an international laden tournament. This will provide our top players the chance to test their mettle against some of the world’s best players and improve their world rankings,” said Cebuana Lhuillier president/CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.
“Their experience here will serve them in good stead when they represent our country in international competitions such as Davis Cup, SEA Games and Asian Games,” he said.
The two finalists in the men’s singles will gain berths in the main draw, while those who make the quarterfinals and semifinals will get a crack in the qualifying stage when the ITF event is fired off Oct. 2, also at the PCA courts.
In the doubles division, only the winning duo will be given a slot in the 16-pair main draw of the event also backed by Whirlpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp., Coca-Cola Fesma Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel and Metro Global Holdings Corp.
Veteran players Alberto Lim Jr., Elbert Anasta, Kyle Joshua Dandan, Marc Reyes, Jurence Mendoza and Jeson Patrombon are also vying for spots in the ITF Men’s Futures Leg 2.
Meanwhile, the Patrimonio sisters – Anna Christine and Anna Clarice – are tipped to lead the title hunt in the ladies side on Sept. 22 with four-time champion Marian Jade Capadocia out to defend her crown.
Others in the fold are Khim Iglupas, Roxanne Resma, Edilyn Balanga, Marinel Rudas, Mae Siso, Hannah Espinosa, Maia Balce and Erika Manduriao.