JOHNNY Arcilla will try to retain one of local tennis’ major crowns as he heads the fourth Olivarez Cup Open Tennis Championship presented by Palawan Pawnshop starting tomorrow at Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque.
The many-time PCA (Philippine Columbian Association) Open champion topbills the 64-man main draw. Vicente Anasta, Arcilla’s doubles partner and losing finalist last year, is ranked second while taking the next eight spots are Patrick John Tierro, Marc Reyes, Jason Patrombon, Rolando Ruel Jr., Ronard Joven, Leander Lazaro, Mark Anthony Alcoseba and Alexander Lazaro.
The top 10 players will see action in the second round on Monday after drawing opening-round byes, with Arcilla taking on the winner between John Altiche and a qualifier and Anasta battling the winner between Alberto Villamor and a wild card.
Arcilla beat Anasta, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, to clinch the men’s singles title last March.
At presstime, a total of 110 players are disputing the eight wild card berths in the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.
Tierro will play the winner of the Jacob Lagman-Andrew Cano matchup, Reyes will face the victor of the Arc Dolorito-Ralph Barte duel and Patrombon battles the winner of the Franklin Encarnacion versus a qualifier match.
In the women side, Clarice Patrimonio is seeded No. 1 after defending champion Marian Capadocia begged off to compete in the Belgium Features tournament.
The second ranked player is Edilyn Balanga followed by No. 3 Aileen Rogan and No. 4 Alyssa Labay. Jasmine W. Payo