Wednesday, November 22, 2006 Barte faces Olivarez in PCA Open
DAVAO City netter Ralph Kevin Barte collides with Pablo Olivarez in the third round of the Phil Columbian Association (PCA) Men's Open Tennis Championships in Paco, Manila Wednesday.
Barte crushed Dodong Rubillar, 6-4, 6-0, in the second round Monday following a rousing 6-0, 6-2 victory over Rolly Anasta in the opener of the annual netfest. Barte, in text messages to Sun.Star Davao Tuesday, said he had played with Olivarez many times in the past.
"Nakalaban ko na po siya, 11-2 na po ata standing namin. Lamang po ako (I've played him before and I think I've beaten him 11 times in 13 meetings already)," said Manila-based Barte who once reaped gold medals for Davao during his elementary days.
But Barte said he could not be complacent in Wednesday's encounter.
"Gumagaling napo si Olivarez at matindi siyang kalaban pero lalaban ako (Olivarez is getting better and he's one tough opponent. But I will fight)," Barte said.
A cash prize of P80,000 awaits the champion in the P400,000 tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.
RP national tennis players are also entered in the meet. (MLSA)
