Veteran Johnny Arcilla makes a return trip to the site of his many wins when he struts his stuff in the Rep. Edward Hagedorn Open National Tennis Championships which got going Friday at the Karawatan PPS Playground in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Fresh from ruling the Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur Open titles last month, Arcilla, the 43-year-old Davis Cup veteran knows he will be up against a bevy of worthy rivals all wanting to put a screeching halt to his amazing run.
Challenging Arcilla are Jose Maria Pague, Joshua Kinaadman, Vicente Anasta, Eric Jed Olivarez, Eric Tangub, Jelic Amazona and doubles partner Nilo Ledama.
The young ones are likewise not to be messed with.
Leading the up—and-coming bidders are multi-titled junior champions Brice Baisa, Kendrick Bona and Vince Serna alongside Dave Mosqueda, Alexis Acabo and qualifiers Tristan Licayan and Jeff Manglicmot.
Over P500,000 are up for grabs in the Group A tournament that also features the men’s doubles, women’s Open doubles, women’s doubles 30s, mixed Open doubles and the men’s doubles combine age 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140.
Also on tap is the national Grand Slam juniors featuring the boys’ and girls’ 18-and-under singles and doubles.
But focus will be on the men’s Open with Arcilla seeking to bag another victory worth P50,000 with the 10-time PCA Open champion likewise seeking the doubles crown and the top P30,000 with Nilo Ledama in the tournament.
