MANILA, Philippines - Johnny Arcilla is brimming with confidence as he gears up for another crack at the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Open crown starting tomorrow for the Pintaflores Festival at the Sakata Tennis Club in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The Davis Cup veteran won the Olivarez Cup men’s Open crown last Aug., ruled the Tuna Festival Open in Gen. Santos City last Sept. then dominated the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo last week, lining him up for another shot at a sweep of the five premier titles on the PPS-PEPP calendar for the second straight year.
The last PPS-PEPP Open tilt is the Dagitab Festival in Naga City, Cebu on Dec. 18-22.
But a slew of rivals are out to stop the many-time PCA Open champion, including Olivarez Cup finalist PJ Tierro and Leander Lazaro, whom Arcilla repulsed in Gen. Santos. Also in the fold are Vicente Anasta, Fritz Verdad, Marc Reyes, Arvin Ruel and Roel Capangpangan.
“This is a great two weeks of tennis and we’re inviting all tennis aficionados and fans to watch the Pintaflores Tennis Festival, which features not just the country’s top and upcoming junior players but also the elite,” said San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr., who also cited the all-out support of local organizer Councilor Criston Carmona and the LGUs of San Carlos.