Arcilla to defend Sara tennis title

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

COUNTRY'S top-ranked Filipino netter Johnny Arcilla is ready to defend his title in the 2nd Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Invitational National Tournament that will unfurl at the Woodridge Park and Country Club tennis courts in Maa on March 16 to 18.

Arcilla, who will play for Team Philippines against Pacific Oceania in the Davis Cup set to open in Bicol on February 10, said he is coming to keep his crown.

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"Dili lang ko magpabaya sa training. Dili lang ko mag kumpyansa kay daghan na maayo run. Importante lang gyud dili kumpyansahan ang mga kalaban (I will work harder in my training and I will not be complacent because a lot of players are becoming better and stronger)," he said in text messages to this writer.

Aside from Arcilla, 2011 runner-up Vicente Alberto Anasta along with semi-finalists Ralph Kevin Barte of Davao City and Patrick John Tierro confirmed to join the tournament that features men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles events.

Ronard Joven and Rolando Ruel, Jr. will also see action in the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta)-sanctioned netfest that offers an estimate total cash prize of P200,000.

The event is jointly presented by For the Love of Tennis, Merco and Selecta and co-presented by Asia Traders Corporation, distributor of Slazenger balls and HEAD equipment.

It is also backed up by Alejandro Bucu, Samuel Afdal of Philsaga Mining Corporation and SBF Drilling Resources Corporation, Jaap Vander Sluis of Ralph's Wines and Spirits as grand sponsors; Robert Te of Holcim Philippines and Hadji Hasim Faisal as premium sponsors.

Major sponsors are Art Milan of Davao Light and Power Co., Alvin Uy of HG Group of Companies, Willie de Leon of Stronghold Insurance Co. and Grace Mercado.