HARD TO BEAT

Arcilla, Alcantara eyed as stiffest rivals

NEWLY-CROWNED 34th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open-Cebuana Lhuillier ITF Men’s National Invitational Tournament men’s doubles champion pair Johnny Arcilla and Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara are still the men to beat in the singles event of the 4th Merco-Selecta Men’s National Invitational Tournament that unfurls at 8 a.m. today at the Monteritz Classic Estates clubhouse in Davao City.

Davao City-born Ralph Kevin Barte, former University of Sto. Tomas (UST) varsity player, and country’s fourth-ranked Vicente Alberto Anasta were one in saying that Arcilla and Alcantara are the strongest players in the tournament following the withdrawal of country’s No. 1 Patrick John Tierro and Marc Anthony Reyes.

Barte, an Economics graduate, said: “Sila Johnny ug Niño kusog jud na sila. Sila jud lisod na makadula (Johnny and Niño are still the ones to beat. Both will be tough opponents).”

Anasta, during an interview over lunch before the drawing of lots at Nanay Bebeng Restaurant yesterday, said, “They are hard to beat. May 50-50 lang ako na chance na pumasok sa finals. Kahit wala sila PJ at Marc, matindi parin itong dalawa (Johnny and Niño).”

He cited Alcantara for his sterling performance in the PCA tournament, adding, “Mas praktisado sya. Maganda ang nilaro nya sa PCA.”

The 23-year-old Alcantara, who hails from Cagayan de Oro City, however, said he just came to play and take a vacation before he dons the country’s colors again in a Futures tournament in Cambodia and another event in Qatar.

“Bahala na unsay mahitabo. First time nako sa tournament na ni, dugay na sad ko last makadula diri mga 12 o 13 years old ko ato ata. Tan-awon lang unsay dagan ani pero maayo bya sab ang mga laing mudula, mga college players sa Manila. Naa pud si Johnny, guwapo bya iyang gidula sa PCA (Let’s just see what happens. This is my first time in the tournament. The last time I played here I think was when I was 12 or 13 years old. Let’s just see how it goes considering that others playing are also good, college players from Manila. Then there’s Johnny, he really played well at the PCA),” Alcantara, an intercultural communications graduate at the Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, said in a separate interview.

Arcilla won the singles titles in the first two editions of the Merco-Selecta tournament before Tierro defeated him last year in the finals.

Also entered in the three-day event are Dabawenyo Mark Anthony Alcoseba, Leander Lazaro, Ronard Joven, Roel Capangpangan, Fritz Verdad, Janji Soquino, Niño Siso, Davao Oriental’s Jeleardo Amazona, Kim Ivor Saraza, Diego Dalisay, Noel Damian and Arcie Maño.

Admission is free in the tournament presented by Flot Group, Merco and Selecta.