Lim primed up for bigger task

MANILA, Philippines - Albert “AJ” Lim Jr. left for the United States last Tuesday hoping his stint in the prestigious Metropolitan Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship in Miami will make him a better and wiser player.

That’s because the country’s top junior who is only 14 will be seeing action in the premier 18 year-olds division where most of the world’s finest players will also be competing.

“It’s going to be a big challenge to compete against the best in the world so I have to be ready,” said Lim on the eve of his departure. “No matter what happens to me there, I hope to achieve my goal that is to gain more techniques and improve my game.”

This marks the second time that the reigning NCAA back-to-back MVP will take part in the Grade 1 tournament having played there two years ago in the 12-years-and-under division where he became the first Filipino to reach the finals.

The tournament is part of Lim’s buildup for the Australian Open in his first Grand Slam foray.

Supported by Wilson International, Philippine Sports Commission and former Congressman Romy Jalosjos, Lim will also compete in the AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Championship in Victoria slated on Jan. 11-16 next year. The Australian Open begins two days after the conclusion of the Traralgon tournament.

Lim, accompanied by personal coach Manny Tecson, is currently ranked No. 188  in the International Tennis Federation (ITF), but he hopes to barge into top 100 next year.

And that’s the reason why he withdrew in the ongoing Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Championships to concentrate on his mission.

Ranked No. 9 in the tournament, Lim hurdled his first two matches with relatively ease, blanking John Altiche, 6-0, 6-0, in the first round before beating Al Michael Madrio, 6-1, 6-0, in the second round.