Lim, Olivarez near title showdown in Gentry Open

MANILA, Philippines — AJ Lim and Eric Jed Olivarez remained on a collision course in their long-running title rivalry, rolling to commanding victories to reach the semifinals of the Gentry National Tennis Open Championship at the Colegio San Agustin courts in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan late Thursday.

Both former national team stalwarts barely broke a sweat as they moved a step closer to a potential finals rematch in the record P2-million tournament, presented by Great Wall Motor Philippines and backed by Gentry Timepieces through Hayb Anzures.

Lim, the top seed and recent PCA Open champion, barely flinched in his back-to-back victories — routing Alexis Acabo, 6-0, 6-1, in the Round of 16, before dismantling Thai bet Tanakorn Srirat, 6-1, 6-2, in the quarterfinals. He now braces for a semis showdown with No. 9 seed Charles Kinaadman.

Kinaadman, the 2023 Dagitab Festival Open champion, also had an impressive run, halting giant-killer Jarell Edangga, 6-1, 6-2, and then edging veteran PJ Tierro in a tight second-set tiebreaker, 6-1, 7-6(6), to earn his shot at Lim and a spot in the championship round.

On the lower half of the draw, Olivarez is eyeing revenge and redemption, powering past Evan Bacalso, 6-0, 6-1, and then outclassing Eric Jay Tangub, 6-1, 6-3, to advance to the Final Four. Standing in his way is unseeded Arthur Pantino, who has emerged as the tournament's surprise package.

Pantino upset No. 7 seed Nilo Ledama with a composed 6-4, 6-1 win after breezing past RJ Dela Fuente, 6-0, 6-1, in the Round of 16, joining the elite men's singles semis cast in the blue-ribbon event that attracted the country’s top players and rising stars.

The tournament is held in partnership with the Palawan Pawnshop National Tennis Championships and is supported by a strong roster of sponsors including Hiessence, Purse Maison, Mobile Cart, Primoshine, Sole Avenue, PDAX, Darling’s Fine Jewels, Luxetrust by Amethyst, The Watch Reserve, and Guapo Car Care Solutions. Official balls are provided by Dunlop and Icon.

In the women’s singles Open, Rachel Velez pulled off the biggest shocker of the tournament so far, ousting top seed Mikaela Vicencio in a thrilling 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) comeback win to secure a semis berth against Tennielle Madis, who earlier dominated Joanna Pena, 6-1, 6-2.

Second seed Tiffany Nocos stayed on track for the women’s crown and the top P100,000 prize, defeating Paula Uy, 6-3, 6-3. She will next face Stefi Aludo, who cruised past Elizabeth Abarquez, 6-3, 6-1, in the quarters.

In men’s doubles, Acabo and Ronard Joven pulled off a massive upset, toppling the top-seeded tandem of Lim and Noel Damian in a thrilling 7-5, 5-7, 10-8 finish to advance to the finals. They will face the formidable pair of Olivarez and Kinaadman for the crown.

In women’s doubles, Elizabeth Abarquez and Rovie Baulete overpowered Erynne Ong and Vicencio, 6-0, 6-2, to arrange a championship clash with the duo of Aludo and Madis, who routed Aileen Rogan and Uy, 6-1, 6-1.