MANILA, Philippines — Eric Jed Olivarez solidified his position as a standout in Philippine tennis, claiming the Dagitab Festival National Open crown with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over John Benedict Aguilar at the City of Naga courts in Cebu over the weekend.
Unlike in their previous Open final encounter, where Olivarez cruised past Aguilar, 6-4, 6-1, the championship proved to be a sterner test for the 26-year-old champion. In the second set, Olivarez rallied from a 1-2 deficit to claim the straight-set victory, adding another prestigious trophy to his growing collection.
Olivarez seized control early in the match, breaking Aguilar in the third game of the opening set. He strung together four consecutive points from a 0-15 deficit before battling his younger opponent in a tense hold-hold sequence to close out the set.
The second frame was more tightly contested, with both players trading breaks in the opening two games and holding serves in the next two. However, Olivarez showed his mettle in the fifth game, clawing back from a 30-40 count to claim the lead by winning the final three points. He never relinquished control, securing the match with a shutout service game in the 10th.
On their way to the final, Olivarez ousted Joven with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win, while Aguilar stunned Arcilla in a 6-3, 6-2 upset in the week-long tournament presented by Dunlop.
Olivarez’s latest triumph added to the illustrious achievements of the Western Michigan U graduate, including his victory in another Open championship last August, where he snapped the long-standing dominance of multi-titled Johnny Arcilla.
In the doubles Open final, however, Arcilla and Ronard Joven foiled Olivarez and Vicente Anasta, 6-3, 6-4.
In the Classified category, Kennex Abdia and Ryan Repunte captured the B+ title, Roy Tabotabo and Jaime Espina secured the B diadem, Rex Tadena and Clodualdo Mabansag bagged the C+ trophy, Andrio Estrella and Whisly Estrella clinched the C men’s and women’s doubles, and Reynaldo Caburnay and Romeo Gemino claimed the D men’s and women’s doubles championship.
In Legend’s division, Reneboy Salahid ruled the 35 men’s singles, Menandro Econg grabbed the 45 title, Bo Alburo and Danny Sajonia topped the 40s men’s doubles, and JD Benitez and Danny Sajonia reigned in the 50s men’s doubles. TMT
