Jed Olivarez reinforced his status as one of the country’s premier tennis players, showcasing a potent combination of power, experience, and composure under pressure to defeat Eric Jay Tangub, 6-3, 6-4, and capture the men’s singles crown in the Mayor Edwin Olivarez National Open Tennis Championships at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat over the weekend.
The victory added another major title to Olivarez’s growing collection on the Philippine tennis circuit, further cementing his dominance in the Olivarez-sponsored national Opens.
He took home the top prize of P100,000 from the tournament’s total prize pool of P415,000.
Olivarez previously won the Mayor Eric Olivarez National Open and the Rep. Edwin Olivarez National Open in 2024, ending Johnny Arcilla’s long reign in the process. He also defeated longtime rival Alberto Lim Jr. to capture the Rep. Eric Olivarez National Open in 2025.
Meanwhile, Noel Damian Brysl Libao spoiled Olivarez’s bid for a double crown, teaming up with his partner to defeat Olivarez and Nilo Ledama, 6-1, 6-3, in the men’s doubles final.
The annual championship, sponsored by Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Rep. Eric Olivarez, highlights the Olivarez family’s continuing commitment to developing and promoting tennis while providing a competitive platform for established players and emerging talents.
The 28-year-old Western Michigan product dictated the tempo early, breaking Tangub in the third game and again in the seventh to take control of the opening set. Although Tangub broke back in the eighth, Olivarez refused to relinquish his momentum, overcoming a 0-30 deficit and winning four consecutive points to close out the frame.
Tangub came out aggressively in the second set, breaking Olivarez before holding serve to establish an early lead. However, Olivarez quickly regrouped, held his serve, and broke back in the fourth game to level the set at 2-all.
Olivarez then held serve at love before breaking Tangub again in the sixth game to open a 4-2 cushion and put himself firmly in command.
Tangub, however, refused to go quietly. He fought back in the seventh game, erasing a 0-30 deficit and stringing together three consecutive points to pull within a game. He then held serve to force a 4-all deadlock, setting up a tense finish.
But Olivarez’s experience and competitive resolve proved decisive. He dominated the ninth game before delivering the finishing blow in the 10th, recovering from a 0-15 deficit and winning four straight points to seal the straight-set victory and claim another prestigious Open title.
Beyond the titles and prize money, the tournament gives seasoned players an opportunity to sharpen their competitive edge while offering promising young talents valuable exposure against stronger opposition. Through their sustained support for the sport, the Olivarez family continues to help expand the country’s tennis base, nurture the next generation of players, and create opportunities for Filipino athletes to make their mark on the national and international stages.
