Alberto “AJ” Lim Jr. reaffirmed his supremacy over rival Eric Jed Olivarez, grinding out a tense-filled opening set before romping to a 7-5, 6-2 victory in the finals of the Mayor Benedict Calderon Cup National Open Tennis Championship singles crown at the Lado del Rio Resort and Roxas Tennis Club in Roxas, Isabela last Tuesday.
The 26-year-old former junior standout, who also drubbed Olivarez for the Iloilo National Open last April, was in top form all week, cruising past Martelino Ezio, 6-0, 2-2 (ret.) in the opening round, dismantling Pablo Gonzaga, 6-0, 6-1, and Nilo Ledama, 6-2, 6-0, before advancing to the final with a 6-0, 2-0 (ret.) win over Vicente Anasta in the semifinals.
Olivarez, who was seeking payback after his Iloilo setback, earned his spot in the finals with commanding wins over Raven Matias (6-1, 6-1), Philippe Coteron (6-3, 6-0), and Noel Salupado (6-2, 6-1), before surviving a scare from John Benedict Aguilar in a grueling 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 semis duel.
But Lim proved too steady in their title clash.
Olivarez, however, gained a measure of revenge in the men’s doubles finals, teaming up with Vicente Anasta to upend Lim and Lance Fernandez in a pulsating 6-7(6), 6-4, 10-8 decision that denied Lim a sweep of the tournament sponsored by Mayor Benedict Calderon and supported by the Palawan Pawnshop tennis circuit, led by president/CEO Bobby Castro.
In a showdown that had fans on edge, both pairs held serve throughout the first set, pushing the frame to a tiebreaker where Lim and Fernandez edged out their rivals, 8-6. Undeterred, Olivarez and Anasta mounted a spirited comeback and prevailed.
In other results, Jing Cabauatan and Rachelle Meneses topped the Classified Women’s B- division; Beverlyn Galleta and Cristina Espinosa ruled the Classified Women’s B+; Ivan Manila and Neil Tanggalin took the Legends Men’s 30-and-below title; Cliff Acaso and Roy Tan bagged the Legends Men’s 30-and-above plum; Reynante Galvante and Apollo Torres emerged victorious in the Legends Men’s 40- and 50-and-above; Gerry Monsanto and Manny Lucas dominated the Legends Men’s 60-and-above; while Paula Uy and Loucas Fernandez secured the Open Mixed title.
