Lim sweeps Olivarez to rule PCA Open men’s singles tennis

MANILA, Philippines — AJ Lim showed his readiness to shoot for a medal in the Southeast Asian Games this December after he topped the men’s singles of the PCA Open in Paco, Manila over the weekend.

It was evident in Lim’s 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Jed Olivarez that not only secured his fourth crown in the annual meet but also reaffirmed his status as the country’s top male netter.

In the process, it also earned the 26-year-old Lim the top purse worth P200,000

“We are tremendously proud and filled with joy at AJ Lim’s performance,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, whose Cebuana Lhuillier has helped bankroll Lim’s SEA Games preparation.

“His dedication, discipline, and heart truly reflect the spirit of Cebuana Lhuillier. To see him rise once more to claim the PCA Open title is a moment of great pride not only for us, but for Philippine tennis as a whole,” he added.

The PCA crown was Lim’s fourth, which came exactly a decade when the player claimed his very first and setting a record as the youngest ever winner of the said tournament at 16 years old.

Lim, of course, is expected to be part of the SEA Games-bound national squad that should be spearheaded by the country’s current pride, Alex Eala.

For her part, Tennielle Madis routed Kaye Anne Emana, 6-0, 6-3, to snare the women’s title, while Johnny Arcilla and Bryan Saarenas edged Fritz Chris Verdad and Rolly Saga, 6-3, 5-7, 11-9, to rule the men’s doubles.