By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Alberto “AJ” Lim Jr. swept the inaugural Philta Men’s Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center Sunday night, proving once again that he is the country’s No. 1 player.
He beat second seed Eric Jed Olivarez Jr., 7-6 (6), 6-1, in the singles final. They won the doubles title over Arthur Craig “Iggy” Pantino and Noel Damian, 6-3, 4-6 (11-9).
In the singles division, Lim pocketed PHP350,000 and earned 1,000 ranking points, while Olivarez claimed PHP175,000 and 750 points in the Grand Slam-level event backed by Tecnifibre and the Philippine Sports Commission.
As doubles champions, they earned PHP80,000 and 1,000 points while Pantino and Damian settled for PHP40,000 and 750 points.
“Beyond the win today, I want to thank God, my family, my team, everyone who came to watch. Thank you for the support,” said Lim, who also beat Olivarez in the final of the 2026 Philta Men’s Masters Top 8 and 2025 PCA Open.
Olivarez put up a strong challenge but eventually fell to the four-time PCA Open champion.
“I’m really grateful because I had a lot of tough matches up to the finals,” said Olivarez, who triumphed over 2025 Gentry Open champion Pantino, 6-3, 6-1, in the quarterfinal before pulling off a 6-1, 6-4 win over Thailand SEA Games mixed doubles bronze medalist Francis Casey Alcantara in the semis.
“It’s been a long journey, I’m just grateful to be here, it’s not the best of course, I would have wanted to win, but still grateful,” said Olivarez, who joined the M15 Singapore World Tennis Tour last week.
Lim, Olivarez, Alcantara, and Pantino are members of the team that won the bronze medal in the SEA Games last year. (PNA)
