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THE country’s top tennis players vie for honor and prize in the
prestigious Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open 2008, which
will unfold next month at the club’s indoor clay courts in Paco,
Manila.
A whopping P500,000 is up for grabs in this
tournament sanctioned by Philippine Lawn Tennis Association with
P100,000 and P50,000 top purse in men and women’s division,
respectively.
“The PCA Open is the Wimbledon of Philippine
tennis. We’ve increased the cash prize for this year compared to
last year’s P400,000 total pot,” said PCA Open Chairman Roland
Kraut. “It’s going to be exciting.”
Reigning champions Johnny Arcilla (men) and
Czarina Mae Arevalo (women) are back in the fold to defend their
respective crowns.
The 26-year-old Arcilla is looking for his
fourth title while Arevalo, a four-time champion, is highly favored
to win her fifth crown after a yearlong training in Bangkok,
Thailand.
Last year’s runner-up Patrick John Tierro,
Davis Cupper Yannick Guba and juniors world championship gold
medalist Francis Casey Alcantara are out to give Arcilla a run for
his money while veteran internationalists Denise Dy, Michelle Pang
and sisters Bambi and Bien Zoleta are expected to challenge the
23-year-old Arevalo.
“It’s going to be an exciting field this year. It’s challenge
for us ranked players, it’s going to be tough to win the
tournament,” said Guba on Tuesday press launch at the PCA Hall.
Qualifying is scheduled on November 17 to 21
while the main draw of singles (men and women), doubles (men, women
and pro-am), intercollegiate (men and women) and interclub will be
on November 22 to 30.
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