Olivarez seeks back-to-back romp at home

MANILA, Philippines — Eric Jed Olivarez hopes to ride the crest of a big title run in Puerto Princesa last week and flourish on the indoor clay courts he calls home as he guns for a second straight victory in the Mayor Eric Olivarez Cup National Open Tennis Championships, which get going today in Sucat, Parañaque.

Olivarez topped doubles partner Charles Kinaadman, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, for the Rep. Edward Hagedorn Open championship that put him in the conversation heading to this Group A championship featuring the country’s leading players at the Olivarez Sports Center and Parañaque Tennis Courts.

Event organizer Bobby Mangunay said they are using two courts to accommodate the big number of entries with the tournament also featuring the men’s and women’s doubles, the juniors grand slam 18-and-under singles and doubles for boys and girls.

Also on tap are the Legends men’s doubles 30s, 40s and 50s, men’s singles 35s and 45s, and women’s doubles 30s.

The week-long event offers a total prize fund of P338,000 with the men’s singles Open winner to pocket P50,000.