TOP SEED Johnny Arcilla and No. 2 Vicente Anasta can expect a tough challenge from the younger cast in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Pintaflores Festival Open Tennis Championship which kicks off today at San Carlos City Tennis Club in Negros Occidental.
Arcilla, the many time Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open champion, and Anasta drew opening-day byes.
Come the second round, Arcilla will take on the winner of the Reun Huibionada-Japeth Bartolome duel, slated at 10 a.m. today, while Anasta will clash with the victor in the Eduardo Rodriguez Jr.-Michael Madrio faceoff at 1 p.m.
Third seed Ronard Joven also took a bye and will play the winner of the Prince Clelo-Rodolfo Barquin match.
The Open winner will receive P40,000 while the second and third placers will settle for P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.
Twelve pairs will likewise vie in men’s doubles, including the Arcilla-Joven pair as the No. 1 seed.