Philta champion AJ Lim highlights Alex Eala as a benchmark for Philippine tennis success 

Alberto “AJ” Lim reinforced his status as the Philippines’ premier men’s tennis player after completing a dominant double at the inaugural Philta Men’s Open, sweeping both the singles and doubles titles at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The top seed delivered a composed and commanding performance in the singles final on Sunday, April 26, outlasting second seed Eric Jed Olivarez Jr., 7-6, 6-1, to cap off a statement campaign. The victory earned Lim the champion’s prize of ₱350,000 along with 1,000 ranking points, while Olivarez took home ₱175,000 and 750 ranking points after finishing runner-up.

The opening set proved to be a tightly contested affair, with both players holding serve and exchanging momentum in a tense tiebreak. However, Lim elevated his level at crucial junctures, tightening his shot selection and minimizing errors to edge the first set. From there, he shifted into another gear in the second set, overwhelming Olivarez with controlled aggression and superior consistency to close out the match in convincing fashion.

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Reflecting on his victory, Lim credited his mindset and support system for helping him get through a challenging final.

“I just really wanted it so bad. Props to Jed for making it super, super tough. I’m not really thinking about the score – just leaving it all out there, hoping I can get the win, and luckily it happened. Thanks to God. I really want to thank God, my team, and my mom. I couldn’t do this without you,” Lim said after the match.

Good tennis and raffle prizes here at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts! It’s the finals of the FIRST-EVER PHILTA NATIONAL MEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP with Top seeds AJ Lim and Jed Olivarez pic.twitter.com/0me5F6TjEh

— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) April 26, 2026

Beyond his triumph on the singles court, Lim also completed a successful run in the doubles competition, further underlining his dominance throughout the tournament. His consistency across both disciplines highlighted not only his physical endurance but also his growing maturity as the country’s leading tennis figure.

The 26-year-old also used the moment to call for stronger support for Philippine tennis, while drawing inspiration from the rising profile of Filipino tennis standout Alex Eala, who has helped elevate the sport’s visibility in recent years.

“Thank you to all who supported Jed, me, and tennis. Huwag kayo magsawa na mag-support ng tennis kasi may Alex Eala na po tayo sa babae. Sa mga youth men’s players, sana magkaroon rin tayo ng isang Alex Eala,” Lim added.

Despite falling short in the final, Olivarez showed sportsmanship in defeat and acknowledged Lim’s ability to raise his level in key moments. The second seed, who pushed through a demanding draw to reach the championship match, remained positive about his overall run in the tournament.

“I don’t think I did anything wrong. I think, you know, every time in the important points, he would step up one gear. Just one more good shot. I think AJ just really deserves to win this match. I’m really grateful because I had a lot of tough matches leading up to the finals. It’s been a long journey. I’m just grateful to be here. It’s not the best result – I would have wanted to win – but I’m still grateful,” Olivarez said.

The final also carried added significance given the recent history between the two players. Lim and Olivarez, alongside fellow standouts Treat Huey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla Pantino, were part of the Philippine team that secured the bronze medal in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Their continued rivalry on the domestic stage is expected to further elevate the level of men’s tennis in the country.

With his latest triumph, Lim not only strengthens his position at the top of Philippine tennis but also sends a clear message heading into the next international and regional competitions: he remains the benchmark for the sport locally, and a key figure in its continued growth.

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