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.