Patrombon opens PH Olivarez Cup bid

MANILA, Philippines — Seven Filipino players, including veterans and upcoming stars, will carry the local campaign when the $15,000 Olivarez Cup-Philippine international men’s tennis championship starts its main draw Wednesday at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Seventeen-year-old Jurence Zosimo Mendoza, Calvin Charles Canlas and Jeson Patrombon all emerged from the tough qualifying round to join wild card bets Johnny Arcilla, Patrick John Tierro, Elbert Anasta and Marc Reyes.

Philippine Tennis Association president and Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said he’s confident a Filipino will barge into the semifinals despite the very tough field.

“I hope the people will come out to support our players because this is a very important tournament and we have a strong chance to win,” Olivarez said.

Patrombon will take the first match starting at 8 a.m. against Chinese Taipei’s Yu Cheng-yu at center court, followed by Arcilla, who will battle Chayanon Kaewsuto.

Mendoza squares off with sixth seed Ivo Klec of Slovakia, while fourth match on centercourt will feature Ruben Gonzales and Thai Sonchat Ratiwatana against Chinese Taipei’s Chi Jen-ho and Huang Jui-chie in doubles.

Mendoza Tuesday wore down Hong Kong’s Andrew Yin Hei Li, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, while Canlas defeated Eric Olivarez Jr., 6-4, 6-3. Patrombon downed second seed Andrew Ochotta of Canada (6-1, 6-3) last Monday.