The week-long event, which was formally launched yesterday at the Hotel Nikko in Makati City, marked the first time the country is hosting a Group 1 event, making it one of the three biggest tournaments in Asia this year.
"This year’s edition of the annual Mitsubishi Lancer-sponsored tournament will be a special one since we have been upgraded to Group 1, meaning the competition is tougher and the players competing are better," said Teruhiko Shibata, Mitsubishi Lancer president and CEO.
"We at the Mitsubishi are proud to be associated with this annual events that is based solely on our commitment to help develop the youth through sports," he added.
Also present in the launching were Philippine Tennis Federation (Philta) president Salvador "Buddy" Andrada, Department of Tourism undersecretary Oscar Palabyab and other Mitsubishi officials.
Leading the foreign charge are boys’ top seed Chris Kwon of the United States, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, and women’s favorite Vojislava Lucik of Yugoslavia, the world’s No. 10.
Seventeen other boys and 18 girls in the top 100 list from 27 countries are also seeing action in this meet co-sponsored by Caltex, Universal Robina, Gatorade, Manila Midtown Hotel and Wilson Balls and supported by Absolute Distilled Water, Bridgestone tires and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Vying for the two wild card berths, a privilege awarded to the host, in the main draw are 12 local boys and 10 girls headed by fast-rising Alyssa Labay, a member of the national team participating in the Federation Cup in Tokyo, Japan late April.
Arevalo, who is currently competing in junior circuits in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, is aiming to duplicate the feats of past Filipino winners Maricris Fernandez (1995 and 1997), Francesca La’o (1991 and 1994) and Jennifer Saret (1992).