Manila: National players Albert Lim Jr. and Eric Jed Olivarez are set to lead the local contingent in the Palawan Open, scheduled from May 24 to 31 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. This event promises to showcase top-tier tennis talent and competitive spirit.
According to Philippines News Agency, the tournament will feature notable participants, including Francis Casey Alcantara, an Asian Games veteran and former junior Grand Slam campaigner, and Arthur Craig "Iggy" Pantino, the reigning Gentry Open champion. Also competing are John Benedict Aguilar, Nilo Ledama, Vicente Anasta, Arthur Pantino, John Kendrick Bona, and Ronard Joven, alongside Jarell Edangga, Lance Fernandez, Noel Salupado, and Loucas Fernandez. Adding an international flair, India's Digvijay Pratap Singh, who achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 485, will also participate. The event is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Gentry, and Bagong Pilipinas and is sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) and Universal Tennis Rating (UTR).
The tournament offers a PHP2 million prize pool, with the men's singles champion receiving P300,000 and the runner-up P150,000. The losing semifinalists will each earn P100,000, while the women's singles winner will take home P100,000. A three-day qualifying round will precede the main event, running from May 21 to 23, starting at 7 a.m.
Bobby Castro, founder and chairman of the Palawan Group of Companies, emphasized the tournament's significance in a news release, stating, "This tournament is more than just a competition - it is an investment in the future of Philippine tennis. We want to give Filipino players consistent opportunities to compete at a high level here at home, expose them to international-caliber matches, and inspire the next generation of champions."
Castro further expressed the organizers' long-term vision, saying, "Our goal is to institutionalize the tournament and help create a sustainable pathway for young Filipino talents. By bringing major competitions to different parts of the country, we hope to strengthen not only the sport but also local communities and tourism." The organizers have announced plans to make the tournament an annual event, rotating across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This initiative aims to provide various cities and provinces with the opportunity to host a premier tennis spectacle, while also energizing local sports development programs.
