Manila: Eric "Jed" Olivarez Jr. is setting his sights on the inaugural Palawan Open, scheduled to begin on May 24 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila. The 28-year-old tennis player is currently competing in the ITF M15 Luan event in China, where he is gearing up for a quarterfinal clash against Kosuke Ogura from Japan.
According to Philippines News Agency, Olivarez advanced to the main draw in China by defeating No. 13 Japanese Yua Taka, 7-6(5), 7-5; Chinese Xirui Han, 6-3, 6-4; and No. 8 Japanese Shu Muto, 2-6, 6-3, 10-8. In the Round of 16, he was leading 4-0 against China's Xiaofei Wang before Wang retired from the match. Olivarez's performance in China is anticipated to enhance his prospects in the PHP2 million Palawan Open, which is presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Gentry Timepieces, and Bagong Pilipinas.
The tournament offers a PHP300,000 prize for the men's singles champion, attracting competitors like India's Digvijay Singh and Aggarwal Parth, US-based Christopher Papa, and local talents such as Alberto Lim, Jr., John Benedict Aguilar, Nilo Ledama, and Vicente Anasta. In the women's division, reigning PCA Open and Gentry Open champion Tennielle Madis leads the field, having recently won the Philta National title. The women's singles champion will receive PHP100,000.
Other contenders in the women's tournament include Stefi Aludo, Tiffany Nocos, Kaye-Ann Emana, Elizabeth Abarque, Louraine Jallorina, Ni±a Alcantara, and Althea Ong. The event is supported by Dunlop as the official ball, Franchise One Hotel as the official hotel, and Queens at Bollywood Restaurant as the official restaurant.
Organizers, under the sanction of the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) and the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR), aim for the week-long championship to serve as a foundational step in revitalizing Philippine tennis at all levels. Bobby Castro, founder and chairman of the Palawan Group of Companies, shared plans to establish the Open as an annual event rotating across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, to foster long-term growth in the sport.
