BUKIDNON'S John Bryan Otico dethroned defending champion Johnny Arcilla of Butuan City to clinch the men's single title of the recently-concluded 3rd James Gamao Invitational Tennis Tournament in Panabo City.
Otico, ranked 12th in Unified Tennis Ranking of the Philippines, upset country's No. 2 Arcilla in a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win.
The first time champion of the Merco-Selecta-presented netfest said he himself could not believe how he defeated the Davis Cup veteran.
"Palagi kaming naglalaban sa tournament, actually second time ko palang syang tinalo. Dati wala pa talaga akong panalo sa kanya," Otico said, adding that he did not expect to win the championship.
He continued sayong, "Ang sa akin lang laruin ko lang best ko kasi yung game namin unpredictable, nagdedepende lang kung gaano ka ganda laro mo on that day."
In the distaff side, third-ranked Marian Jade Capadocia of Antique avenged her preliminary game loss as she upended No. 5 Shaira Hope Rivera of Monkayo, Compostella Valley, on the same note, 6-2, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Arcilla's tandem with Davao City's Danna Abad outlasted the pair of Mark Anthony Alcoseba of Davao City and Khim Iglupas of Iligan City, 6-1, 7-6, to capture the mixed doubles crown.
Winners received trophies and cash prizes from organizing For The Love of Tennis (Flot) Group.
Flot Group chairperson Anton Ferrazzini thanked sponsors Engr. Glenn Olandria, Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo, Stronghold Insurance, Markus Kehl and Romano Venuti of Swiss Deli, Engr. Litoy and Madam Grace Mercado, Erja Agri. International Inc., Chris Tan of Asiatraders, Dunlop Balls, Paul Abao of Mamma Maria's, Dr. Mike Demetria, Airpro System Inc., Joseph Rodriguez, Alejandro Bucu, Dodong Lao, Timton Gempesaw of Rocky’s Barbershop and Reyna Mechatronics.