Cebuana Lhuillier tennis on tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano netters get another chance to test their might against the country’s top players when the 4th Cebuana Lhuillier Men's Open Tennis Tournament unfolds at the Baseline Sports and Recreation Center tomorrow.

Before local players meet the country’s most seasoned players, however, they have to go through first the qualifying round together with other visiting players who also wished to be in the 32-man draw that will start Tuesday.

 So far, nine locals have dared to take the challenge while the rest can enlist today through tournament referee Godfrey “Boy” Callao at 0928-3735260.

Four wild cards have also been allocated for this tournament but only two will be available for the locals with India-bound Junior Davis Cuppers Jurenz Mendoza and Kyle Joseph already owning the two.

Cebuano Jacob Lagman, who is also in the Jr. Davis Cup team, is one of the top 16 players in the organizers’ list.

Lagman and his teammates will utilize this event as their final tune-up for the their next Junior Davis Cup battle in New Delhi where they will be facing bets from 15 other countries.

The organizers are allowing the three top junior netters with no less than the man behind the event, Cebuana Lhuillier’s top honcho, Jean Henri Lhuillier, throwing his all-out support for the team.

It is Lhuillier’s hope that more youngsters will join this event and be discovered to be the country’s next repre-sentatives in the prestigious Davis Cup among other international events.

Three of the RP Davis Cup members are also set for the week-long battle led by doubles defending champion Johnny Arcilla and his partner Patrick John Tierro and Onyok Anasta.

The rest of the top 16 players seeing action include Rolando Ruel,Jr., Toto Joven, Ralph Kevin Barte, Kim Ivor Saraza, Roel Capangpangan, Arcie Maño, Juvan Divinagracia, Antonio Sagansay, Kenneth Salvo, Alexander Lazaro, Pedro Egos, and Rommel Opeñano.

On the other hand, event organizer Jun Toledo said they decided to scrap the seniors division. Instead, they will be introducing the pro-am action. (FREEMAN)