MEN'S defending champion Johnny Arcilla of Butuan City, currently ranked men's no. 2 in Unified Tennis Rankings as of December 31, 2018, downplayed his title-retention bid while no. 4 John Bryan Otico of Bukidnon confirmed his entry in the 3rd Mayor James Gamao Invitational Tennis Tournament set on April 24 to 27 in Panabo City.
It can be recalled that Arcilla, despite suffering from an injured shoulder, outlasted Otico in three sets during the men's finals last year.
“Basta Merco tournament excited talaga ako,” Arcilla said in a Facebook interview with SunStar Davao.
He, however, said that he hasn't been playing competitively lately. The Mindoro Open 2019 set on April 12 to 21 will serve as his first tournament this year. It will also be his lone tune-up event before the Panabo netfest presented by Merco and Selecta.
Merco president Anton Ferrazzini, also chairman of tournament organizer of For the Love of Tennis (Flot) Group, said Otico recently confirmed his participation.
“The eight men’s and eight women’s slots are complete,” he said.
Completing the men's cast are Dabawenyos John Jeric Accion and Mark Anthony Alcoseba, Leander Lazaro, Noel Damian, Jr. and John Mari Altiche while the Patrimonio sisters, Anna Clarice and Anna Christine, banner the women's event along with top ranked Marian Jade Capadocia, Allysa Mae Bornia, Khim Iglupas, Shaira Hope Rivera, Mary Aubrey Calma and Danna Abad.