Olivarez rules Dagitab Open

MANILA, Philippines — Eric Jed Olivarez solidified his position as a standout in Philippine tennis, claiming the Dagitab Festival National Open crown with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over John Benedict Aguilar at the City of Naga courts in Cebu over the weekend.

Unlike in their previous Open final encounter, where Olivarez cruised past Aguilar, 6-4, 6-1, the championship proved to be a sterner test for the 26-year-old champion. In the second set, Olivarez rallied from a 1-2 deficit to claim the straight-set victory, adding another prestigious trophy to his growing collection.

Olivarez seized control early in the match, breaking Aguilar in the third game of the opening set. He strung together four consecutive points from a 0-15 deficit before battling his younger opponent in a tense hold-hold sequence to close out the set.

The second frame was more tightly contested, with both players trading breaks in the opening two games and holding serves in the next two. However, Olivarez showed his mettle in the fifth game, clawing back from a 30-40 count to claim the lead by winning the final three points. He never relinquished control, securing the match with a shutout service game in the 10th.