Sara invitational national tennis set

Thursday, January 19, 2012

THE 2nd Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Invitational National Tournament will get underway on March 16 to 18 at the Woodridge Park and Country Club tennis courts in Maa.

Tournament overall chair Anton Ferrazzini, in a committee meeting at his Merco office in Cabaguio on Thursday, said: "It's all systems go in the tournament. We are just waiting for the confirmation of the country's top eight men's and women's players whom we have invited to play in the event."

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He was pertaining to Johnny Arcilla, Jeson Patrombon, Vicente Alberto Anasta, Rolando Ruel, Jr., Patrick John tierro, Ronard Joven, Ralph Kevin Barte and Jurence Zosimo Mendoza along with Anna Clarice Patrimonio and her sister Anna Christine, a current mainstay of the Pinoy Big Brother reality TV program, Marian Jade Capadocia, Aileen Rogan, Tamitha Nguyen, Noelle Nikki Camille Zoleta, Alyssa Labay and Jessica Marie Agra.

Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) regional director Juanito "Titong" Cansino, Jr., who is also tournament director, said only Patrombon and Mendoza have yet to confirm among the men players. Arcilla and the rest are excited to come having played in the first edition last year.

"We also hope to get positive responses from the top female netters," Cansino said.

Organizer For the Love of Tennis (Flot) stakes an estimate total cash prize of P200,000 for champions, runners-up, semi-finalists and quarter-finalists in men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles events.

The tournament is presented by Flot in cooperation with Merco and Selecta. It is backed up by grand sponsors Samuel Afdal of Philsaga Mining Corporation and SBF Drilling Services Corp., Jaap Vander Sluis of Ralph's Wines and Spirits, premium sponsor Robert Te of Holcim Philippines, major sponsors Davao City Water District and Stronghold Insurance Co.