Patrick John Tierro starts his title-retention campaign in the 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Wildcard Event Thursday at the PCA Open clay courts in Paco, Manila.
The 30-year-old Tierro expects tough competition in the men’s singles division where eight-time titlist Johnny Arcilla and former Australian Open juniors champ Francis Casey Alcantara are also entered in the tournament supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Puma, Dunlop, Philippine Star, Head, Babolat, Compass/IMOSTI and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
Tierro is wary of the younger Alcantara, who thwarted his title bid in the Olivarez Cup finals last month.
Automatic slots in the 2015 Manila International Tennis Federation (ITF) Men’s Futures Leg 2 are at stake in the men’s division.
“We at Cebuana Lhuillier are excited to renew our commitment to support PCA Open especially with this year’s edition being an international laden tournament,” said Cebuana Lhuillier president/CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier. “This will provide our top players the chance to test their mettle against some of the world’s best players and improve their world rankings.”
The finalists in the men’s singles will earn their ticket in the main draw, while the players who make it into the quarterfinals and semifinals will have a chance to compete in the qualifying stage when the ITF event unfurls on Oct. 2 at the PCA courts.
In the doubles division, only the winning duo will be given a slot in the 16-pair main draw of the event also backed by Whilpool/Fujidenzo, Broadway Motor Sales Corp. Coca-Cola Fesma Philippines, Tyrecorp Incorporated, Pearl Garden Hotel and Metro Global Holdings Corporation.