Top seeds AJ Lim and Eric Jed Olivarez opened their title campaigns in emphatic fashion, setting the tone for what could be a blockbuster showdown in the inaugural Gentry National Tennis Open Championship at the Colegio San Agustin courts in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, over the weekend.
Lim, the tournament’s No. 1 seed and a consistent powerhouse in local tennis, made quick work of Patrick Paumar, scoring a ruthless 6-0, 6-0 victory. The recent PCA Open champion barely gave his opponent room to breathe as he stormed into the second round, where he will face Richard Bautista, who advanced via walkover against Philippe Coteron.
Not to be outdone, second seed Olivarez delivered an equally dominant 6-0, 6-0 drubbing of Kian Sanchez. The 2024 national team mainstay will next meet John Christopher Sonsona, who rallied past Carlos Austria, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, in the lower half of the 64-player draw.
The blue-ribbon tournament, boasting a record-breaking P2 million total prize fund, including P300,000 for the men’s singles champion, has attracted some of the country’s finest and hungriest talents — making this opening edition one of the most competitive in recent memory.
While many are already anticipating another Lim–Olivarez final, a rivalry that has defined numerous local Open events, several rising stars and battle-tested veterans have shown early signs they’re ready to challenge the favorites.
Among those advancing with impressive wins were John Benedict Aguilar, who turned back Hilbert San Jose, 6-4, 6-2, and John Kendrick Bona, who dispatched Nash Agustines, 6-4, 6-1. Ronard Joven blanked Sammie Quiño, 6-1, 6-0, while Nilo Ledama overwhelmed Kean Enriquez, 6-2, 6-0.
Also moving forward with convincing victories were Loucas Fernandez, Alexis Acabo, Elvin Geluz, Charles Kinaadman, Kenzo Brodeth, and Eric Jay Tangub, underscoring the depth and balance of the field.
In particular, Kinaadman’s 6-0, 6-0 rout of John Rey Moreno and Brodeth’s 6-1, 6-3 win over Jose Bernardo served notice of their potential to mount deep runs — and possibly disrupt the projected Lim–Olivarez championship clash.
Rounding out the list of early winners were Allyson Cabanilla, John Jeric Accion, Tanakorn Srirat, Miguel Iglupas, Patrick Tierro, Jeremiah Latorre, Martin Libao, Jarell Edangga, Eury Dice Gaspar, Ariel Cabaral, RJ dela Fuente, Jovanie Pilares, Craig Pantino, Klyde Lagarde, Al-Zayeed Baid, Gabriel Gurria, Evan Bacalso, and Jude Ceniza.
