Olivarez Open netfest draws stellar cast

MANILA, Philippines - The third Olivarez Cup Open tennis championships get going March 1 with a huge field led by the country’s leading players, interclub campaigners and rising stars slugging it out for top honors and ranking points at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Also up for grabs are cash prizes with the 17-day tournament, presented by Palawan Pawnshop and sponsored by Dunlop Sports, Stronghold Insurance, Fed-ex Air21 and Olivarez Sports Center, offering a total prize pot of P300,000.

“Through the years, it has been the commitment of the Olivarez family, through Dr. Pablo Olivarez, to develop our players by providing top-notch tournaments like this,” said Philta president Rep. Edwin Olivarez. “This tournament will surely inspire our young players to achieve a higher level of play.”

Registration is ongoing. For details, contact the Olivarez Sports Center secretariat at 820-2237, Philta office at 523-6415 or tournament referee/incharge Bobby Mangunay at (0915) 4046464.

Events on tap are men’s and women’s singles and doubles, the men’s and ladies team competition, the intercollegiate categories as well as the age-group for boys’ and girls’ 18-under, 16-under, 14-under, 12-under, and 10-under unisex.

“We feel that putting up the Olivarez Open in March and August each year will help address the need for more Open tournaments,” said Councilor Eric Olivarez. “And we thank Palawan Pawnshop for their commitment to help the sport till 2021.”

“It is our desire to help the sport and produce world class netters because we believe that Filipino players can be at par with the best,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.