Seasoned campaigners Eric Olivarez and Vicente Anasta and rising stars John Aguilar and Kendrick Bona brace for a fiery clash as the Mayor Edwin Olivarez National Open Tennis Championships unwrap Monday, Nov. 17, in Sucat, Parañaque.
With P100,000 top prize and valuable Philta and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) points at stake in the men’s singles, fans can expect a week-long showcase of athleticism and shot-making brilliance. Power hitters, precision players and strategists are all set to collide, promising another explosive edition of this annual gathering of the country’s premier tennis talents, including elite junior performers stepping up to the big stage.
In the women’s side, a compelling showdown is likewise in the works as Kaye-Ann Emana, Elizabeth Abarquez, Victoria Peña and Angeline Alcala headline the hunt for the coveted crown. The eventual champion will take home P30,000, along with ranking points and the prestige of triumphing in one of the country’s most tradition-rich tennis events.
Doubles action is expected to be equally intense. The men’s champions stand to haul P50,000, while the women’s doubles winners will pocket P30,000, reinforcing the tournament’s commitment to nurturing both individual and team excellence.
To accommodate the surge of entries, matches will be played not only at the Olivarez Sports Center but also in various Parañaque courts.
The men’s division alone features a packed 64-player draw, preceded by two days of grueling qualifying matches. Mark Javier became the first to clinch one of the eight available main-draw slots after outlasting Justin Villaluz, 8–7(5), in a tense battle decided by nerves and big points.
Still vying for the remaining slots are a mix of hungry challengers and young hopefuls, including Rossel Judabal, Jordan Niu, Kevin Viray, Chat Conta, Yasser Nawzil, Raphael Villanueva, Zarc Denopol, Yusuf Burahan, Jesse de Guzman, Penshoppe Erquita and Kevin Gallenito.
On the women’s side of qualifying, the chase for the four remaining berths in the main draw features Ave Maria Policarpio, Amelia Apostol, Chiara Bate and Pearl Patoc, all determined to punch their ticket to the championship rounds of the tournament held in honor of Mayor Edwin Olivarez, and supported by Universal Tennis, Dunlop and Icon Golf & Sports.
The event not only spotlights the country’s top-level competitors but also underscores Parañaque City’s and the Olivarez family’s continued commitment to discovering and developing homegrown talents – future stars who may soon carry the national colors in international competitions.
Also seeded in the men’s main draw are Nilo Ledama, Eric Tangub, Elvin Geluz, Austin delos Santos, John Accion, Philippe Coteron, Jarelle Edanga, Jeremiah Latorre, Brysl Libao, Sammie Quiño, Carlos Santiago, and Joaquin de Leon – a mix of veterans and upstarts eager to make their mark.
