Casey Alcantara tries to spring another surprise title run while Khim Iglupas hopes to live up to hype as they banner the field in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Tuna Festival Open unfolding Thursday in Gen. Santos City.
Alcantara upended top seed PJ Tierro to top the men’s Open singles in the recent Olivarez Cup while Iglupas swept Marian Capadocia to repeat as champion in the distaff side.
The 23-year-old Alcantara will face Klyde Lagarde in one of the 16 matches kicking off the tournament offering P40,000 to the winner and presented by Technifibre.
The top-seeded Tierro opens his bid against wild card Andrei Domingo while the No. 2 Arcilla clashes with another wild card, Dominador Lagare, in the lower half of the draw.
Iglupas, the women’s top seed, takes on Carlyn Guarde tomorrow.