Anasta boosts local challenge at Int’l Men’s Futures Open

FORMER Davis Cupper Elbert Anasta joined five other Filipinos who will vie for top honors in the PSC-Philta International Men’s Futures Open which blasts off today at Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City.

Anasta used his familiarity with shell-clay courts to bundle out Indonesian Ming Tham, 6-0, 6-3, yesterday in the qualifying round to join Jeson Patrombon, Francis Casey Alcantara, Johnny Arcilla, Patrick John Tierro and Kyle Dandan in the $15,000 tournament.

Sixteen-year-old Filipino-Spaniard Diego Garcia Dalisay also made the cut after beating Shu Saito of Japan, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Dalisay is seeking a spot in the Philippine team.

Patrombon, who made it straight to the main draw via his world ranking (No. 1,209), battles Liang Wen-chu of Chinese Taipei, while Tierro faces Liang’s compatriot Hung Jui-chen in today’s opening round.

Dandan replaced Alberto Lim Jr. at the last minute as wild card in the tournament organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Tennis Association, Pioneer Insurance, Babolat, Asian Tennis Federation and Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the Philta president.

Dandan clashes with No. 8Hiromasa Oku of Japan. Matches start at 10 a.m.

“This is a good opportunity for our players to break into the pro circuit and earn world rankings,” said Olivarez. “I’m confident we can have a very good showing because we have a very promising bunch of players here.”

PSC Chair Richie Garcia said he is expecting the hometown crowd to rally behind the players, “that’s why we are asking sports fans to support our players in this top-level event.”

Among the top foreigners competing in the event supported by Palm Rock Hotel, Sweet Valley, TCU Aircon sales and services, Globe, Beginnings Baby Products, The Henry Hotel, ROCD Roofworks and IPTL (International Premier Tennis League) are top seed Enrique Lopez-Perez of Spain (No. 354) and second seed Harry Bourchier of Australia (No. 509).

Also seeing action are Kento Takeuchi (513) and Arata Onozawa (591) of Japan, and Vinayak Kaza of India (655).