By: Kristoffer Ed Bellen
MANILA—For the 37th year, the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) directors and members, in support with the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA), are all set to kick off the 2018 PCA Open at the PCA Tennis Grounds this month.
The PCA directors and members, along with PHILTA, will work once again to stage the grandest three-week tennis tournament in the country which will run from Nov. 16-Dec. 9.
Committed to maintaining the prestige of being the "Wimbledon" of the Philippines, this year's PCA Open will feature four main events headlined by the men's and ladies' open singles and doubles.
Maiden PCA Open titlist and juvenile Filipino rising star John Bryan Otico is set to defend his title for the first time ever against the likes of last year's runner-up Patrick John Tierro, 2016 champion AJ Lim, and eight-time PCA Open champion Johnny Arcilla.
Although far from reality, also expected to make a run at the 2018 PCA Open are Philippine Davis Cup national team mainstays Jeson Patrombon, Niño Alcantara, and Jurence Mendoza.
Over at the women's side, on the other hand, Marian Capadocia will look to nab her sixth PCA Open title in front of former Philippine Fed Cup players Clarice Patrimonio, Bambi Zoleta, and Akiko de Guzman.
Meanwhile, included in the tournament as well are five age-group tennis tournaments that are composed of the boys and girls' 18-Under, 16-Under, 14-Under, 12-Under, and the 10-Under Unisex events.
Furthermore, this year's tournament will also feature senior tennis players aged 40 to 55 years old at the men's and women's seniors doubles open.
The registration for the 2018 PCA Open is still ongoing with the guidelines and updates posted through the tournament's social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Follow him on Twitter: @KristoffBellen