A BREAKTHROUGH P2 million purse-the richest in Philippine tennis history-will be up for grabs in the Gentry National Tennis Championships that start Thursday at the Colegio San Agustin courts in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
The landmark tournament not only raises the bar in terms of prize money and prestige, but also signals a major leap in support for Philippine tennis, drawing a full 64-player draw in the men’s Open singles division alone.
Headlining the star-studded field are the country’s top two players, AJ Lim and Eric Jed Olivarez, who are set to lead a power-packed mix of veteran campaigners, rising stars and fearless young guns.
The men’s singles champion will take home a whopping P300,000, while the runner-up receives P150,000.
The women’s singles draw is equally competitive with rising stars Mikaela Vicencio and Tiffany Nocos leading the charge for the P100,000 top prize with the runner-up banking P50,000.
‘This is a major milestone for Philippine tennis,’ said tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay, who also serves as Sports Program and Development Director of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala. ‘The response from players has been overwhelming, and the level of competition we’re expecting truly reflects the importance and magnitude of this tournament.’
The two-week tennis showcase, presented by Great Wall Motor Philippines, will also feature men’s and women’s doubles events, collegiate and inter-school divisions, Legends play, team competitions and Classified club-level classes.
The men’s doubles winners will pocket P100,000, with the women’s doubles champions earning P50,000-doubles runners-up will take home P50,000 (men) and P25,000 (women).
The event is also part of a broader effort to uplift local tennis through the Palawan Pawnshop junior tennis circuit, providing year-round opportunities for emerging talents inspired by the meteoric rise of Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala.
Among the other top contenders expected to challenge Lim and Olivarez for the men’s crown are Vicente Anasta, John Benedict Aguilar, John Kendrick Bona, Ronard Joven, Nilo Ledama, and Loucas Fernandez, along with a host of potential upset-makers including Charles Kinaadman, Eric Jay Tangub, Elvin Geluz, Kenzo Brodeth, Vince Serna, Austin delos Santos, Mark Alcoseba and Alexis Acabo.
In the women’s side, the battle is equally fierce, with names like Elizabeth Abarquez, Victoria Pena, Niña Alcala, Tennielle Madis, Stefi Aludo, and Rachel Velez looking to make their mark.