By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Top seed Alberto Lim Jr. defended his men’s singles crown with a dominant 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win over No. 2 Jed Olivarez in the 42nd Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Tennis Championships at PCA indoor shell court in Paco, Manila on Sunday.
It was Lim’s third consecutive PCA Open title and fourth overall. He also defeated Olivarez in last year’s final.
“Jed played absolutely amazing. I think today, I was just the better player. It’s the breaks of the game. I got lucky with a few key points that gave me the championship.” the 26-year-old Lim said.
He took home PHP200,000 while Olivarez received PHP100,000.
Lim’s first title came in 2015 when dethroned then 30-year-old Patrick John Tierro and became the youngest PCA Open champion at 16.
He beat the record of Manny Tolentino who two months older when he achieved the feat in 1982.
In 2023, he beat Hawaii-based Filipino Andre Ilagan for his second PCA crown.
“Having competed in four tournaments in China last month, I can say that he played with more confidence today,” Ronald Roces, who started coaching Lim during the 2019 Manila Southeast Asian Games, said of his ward.
Earlier, wild card Tennielle Madis stunned top seed Kaye Anne Emana, 6-0, 6-3, to pocket the women’s singles title and PHP100,000 in cash.
The 18-year-old from M’lang, Cotabato also won the doubles title with fellow Philippine Tennis Academy member Stefi Marithe Aludo.
The men’s doubles title went to Johnny Arcilla and Bryan Saarenas, who prevailed over Rolly Saga and Fritz Chris Verdad, 6-3, 5-7 (11-9). (PNA)
