Toughened by a series of tournaments abroad, including a stint in the juniors of the Australian Open, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon hope to become the first Filipino champion in the boys’ singles of the Mitsubishi Lancer International Junior Tennis Championships which starts on March 23 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

No Filipino has ever won the boys’ singles crown in the history of the Grade 1 event, but this year, Alcantara and Patrombon have the needed credentials to win it for the country.

The 17-year-old Patrombon currently boasts of a semifinal finish at the Grade 1 ITF/LTAT Championships in Nonthaburi, Thailand, while Alcantara, 18, has been consistently competing in Grand Slam and Grade 1 events.

While aiming for the singles crown, Alcantara, likewise, hopes to get his second straight doubles title here after winning it with Swedish partner Daniel Berta last year.

Alcantara earned a main draw seat with his current ITF No. 39 ranking, while Patrombon snared a wildcard berth.

Alcantara and Patrombon are fine-tuning themselves in the Grade 1 Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup.

Also getting wildcard entries are Leander Lazaro and Kim Saraza, as well as Clarice Patrimonio in the girls’ division.

Hoping to get wildcard berths are Akio Sy, Paul Magaway, Jacob Lagman, Patricia Orteza, Marian Capadocia, Shannin Olivarez, Marinel Rudas, and Katrina Orteza for wildcard seats.

Mate Zsiga of Hungary and Irina Khromacheva of Russia, both ranked No. 9 in the ITF, are so far the highest rated players who have already confirmed their participation in the event.