Arcilla, Capadocia magdedepensa sa PCA Open

MANILA, Philippines - Magtatapat ang mga pi­nakamahuhusay na tennis players sa bansa sa paghataw ng ika-30 edisyon ng Philippine Columbian Asso­ciation (PCA) Open na ini­hahandog ng Cebuana Lhuillier at Metro Global Holdings na gaganapin sa PCA courts sa Paco, Ma­nila.

Unang makikita sa ak­syon ang mga netters sa juniors division sa Nobyembre 1-9, habang idaraos ang Inter-Collegiate sa Nob­yembre 7, 8 at 23.

Pangungunahan nina defending men’s champion Johnny Arcilla at women’s titlist Marian Jade Capado­cia ang listahan ng mga sa­sabak sa main draw sa Nobyembre 15-23.

Asam ni Arcilla na ma­kuha ang kanyang ika-si­yam na titulo, habang tar­get ni Capadocia ang kan­yang ikaapat na sunod na korona sa torneong su­portado ng Cebuana Pe­ra Padala, Micro Insu­rance, Phiten, Just Jewels, Cebuana Micro Insurance, Hon. Emmanuel “Manny” Pac­quiao, Dunlop, Fuji­denzo/Whirlpool, Babolat, Head, Accel, Malate Bay­view Mansion, Coca-Co­la Bottlers Phils., Inc., Phi­lip­pine Prudential Life In­su­rance Company, Inc., Se­no Hardware, Standard Insurance, United Auctio­neers Inc.-Foton, Philippine Sports Commission, TLH Sports & Wellness Center/Solinco, Avida Land Cor­poration, Stronghold In­su­rance, Ryobi MHI at GMA 7.

Magiging tinik sa kampanya ni Arcilla ang No. 1 pla­­yer na si Patrick John Tierro bukod pa kina Filipino-Italian Marc Anthony Re­yes, Alberto Lim Jr., Lean­der Lazaro, Elbert Anasta, Rolando Ruel Jr. at Jeson Patrombon.

Pa­pa­gitna sa juniors class sina Miguel Luis Vi­cencio at Daniel Estanislao III at sina Hannah Es­pinosa at Jzash Canja.

“The stakes are definitely higher this year. I know we say it every year and it’s true every time because the caliber of athletes is getting better and better. Even the more experienced players notice how gritty the newcomers are. There’s a new breed of athletes that are steadily working their way up. That’s the beauty of this sport, there’s always room to grow,” pahayag ni PCA Chairman Raul Diaz

Premyong P600,000 ang nakalatag kasama di­to ang P100,000 para sa mag­kakampeon sa men’s singles, habang P50,000 na­man sa runner-up.

May tatanggaping P50,000 ang magwawagi sa women’s singles at P25,000 sa runner-up.