What a weekend it was for Philippine tennis! If you’re a fan of the sport (or even just starting to appreciate the excitement of the game), the recent Semana Sang Iloilo National Open Tennis Championship delivered all the thrills—highlighted by the unstoppable ascent of our top seed and crowd favorite, Alberto Lim Jr. His performance? Nothing short of masterful. If you missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got all the juicy details lined up for you right here.

The King of the Court Holds His Crown

Let’s set the stage: Alberto Lim Jr., already firmly accepted as the Philippines’ top-ranked player, strutted into Iloilo with expectations sky-high—and boy, did he deliver. With a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win over Eric Jed Olivarez in the men’s singles final, Lim wasn’t just playing tennis. He was putting on a well-rehearsed performance in precision, strategy, and nerves of steel.

This wasn’t just a regular win—it was a statement. Lim didn’t drop a set; he barely broke a sweat, slicing through the field with the kind of cool confidence that you’d expect from a seasoned pro. That first set had a brief hiccup (Olivarez breaking back after being down 0-40), but it only added more flair to the eventual domination that followed.

Pure Class from Start to Finish

To understand why this win was so special, you’ve got to look beyond the scoreline. It’s about how Lim controlled every inch of the court. Whether it was his footwork, his sharp returns, or those pinpoint serves that danced right on the line, he looked completely in his element. Years ago, we saw those flashes of brilliance in the junior circuit—but now, it’s clear they’ve crystallized into something even more dangerous: mastery.

It’s performances like these that validate his reigning status as the PCA Open champion and reinforce why he’s the one everyone’s chasing.

Breaking Streaks and Raising the Bar

Beyond claiming the title and a tidy ₱100,000 winner’s purse, Lim’s victory also snapped Eric Jed Olivarez’s impressive run—one that had seen him topple some of the country’s tennis veterans, including Johnny Arcilla and Vicente Anasta, and up-and-coming star John Benedict Aguilar. There was serious hype around Olivarez heading into the finals, and rightfully so.

Still, when it mattered most, it was Lim who rose to the occasion, effortlessly shifting the match’s momentum in his favor and never really letting it go.

But Wait—There Was Doubles Drama Too!

As if one championship wasn’t enough, Lim decided to double up (pun intended). Teaming up with doubles specialist Noel Salupado, the pair shocked everyone by toppling the tournament’s No. 1 duo—Olivarez (again!) and Anasta—in a deciding tiebreak thriller: 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 10-8.

Talk about an edge-of-your-seat match. Both pairs exchanged flashy volleys, clutch serves, and more than a few mid-air fist pumps. But in the end, it was the poise and synergy of Lim and Salupado that made the difference. And let’s not overlook their semi-final win—a straight-sets statement against second seeds RJ Saga and Fritz Verdad.

The Road to Glory Wasn’t All Smooth Sailing

Sure, Lim made it look too easy at times, but credit where it’s due—he had to navigate a tricky semi-final against tennis mainstay Vicente Anasta, squeezing out a 7-5, 6-3 win. Meanwhile, Olivarez’s path to the final showed just how dangerous he’ll continue to be—he dropped only three games in two matches before effortlessly handling Verdad in the semis, 6-4, 6-1.

More Champions Behind the Scenes

In the men’s Pro-Am doubles event, the dynamic duo of Onyok Anasta and Miru Tupas pulled off their own impressive feat, edging past Arnold Rodriguez and Edgar Pestaño in a tightly contested final. It’s proof that Philippine tennis has talent bubbling up not just in the singles spotlight, but in every corner of the competition.

Final Thoughts: The Future Looks Bright

Watching Alberto Lim Jr. lift that trophy (and do so in both singles and doubles) felt like witnessing a new chapter unfold in Philippine sports. He’s not just a tennis player—he’s becoming a symbol of excellence, consistency, and heart-pounding, racket-smashing entertainment.

So, if you’ve been sleeping on local tennis, it’s time to wake up. With talents like Lim, Olivarez, and a cast of rising challengers lighting up courts around the country, the game’s only getting faster, fiercer, and way more fun to follow.

Trust us—you’re going to want to keep an eye on what comes next.

🎾🔥💪