EARLY favorites Johnny Arcilla and Anna Clarice Patrimonio yesterday demolished their respective rivals as the 3rd James Gamao Invitational Tennis Tournament opened at the Panabo City courts Wednesday, April 24.

Men’s single defending champion Arcilla, of Butuan City, turned back Davao City’s John Jeric Accion, 6-2, 6-2 while 2018 runner-up John Bryan Otico of Bukidnon survived past John Mari Altiche, 6-1, 1-6, 10-7.

In the distaff side, 25-year-old SEA Games 2017 silver medalist Patrimonio, current women’s No. 4 in Unified Tennis Ranking in the Philippines since January 1, 2019, upset University of the Philippines’s Khim Iglupas of Iligan City, 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 in their group B clash.

Patrimonio, a three-time Uaap MVP, said, “Well yung sa performance naming dalawa okay naman. Ibang game play kasi ni Khim sa game play ko so during the tiebreak, naunahan ko sya through hitting fast balls and nag-enjoy lang ako playing throughout the tiebreak.”

She also managed to adjust with the heat as she just rehydrated herself with water and put ice cream on her head.

“Kailangan ding mag-adjust sa hangin kasi gumagalaw ang bola,” Patrimonio added in a text interview.

Meanwhile, No. 3 Marian Jade Capadocia of Antique subdued Aubrey Calma, 6-1, 7-5, in Group A. Capadocia, in a separate phone interview, said she still has to familiarize herself with the court. “Hindi pa ako masyadong nakapag-adjust. Mahangin din during the game,” 23-year-old Capadocia said.

A total cash prize of P200,000 is at stake in the event presented by Merco and Selecta and organized by the For the Love of Tennis (Flot) Group.