Olivarez rules Dagitab netfest

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

Unlike in their previous Open final encounter, where Olivarez cruised past Aguilar, 6-4, 6-1, the title match proved to be a tougher 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 an intense 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.

On their way to the final, Olivarez ousted Joven with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win, while Aguilar stunned Arcilla in a 6-3, 6-2 upset in the week-long tournament.

Olivarez’s latest triumph added to the illustrious achievements of the Western Michigan U graduate, including his victory in another Open championship last August, where he put a halt to the long-standing dominance of multi-titled Johnny Arcilla.

In the doubles Open final, however, Arcilla and Ronard Joven foiled Olivarez and Vicente Anasta, 6-3, 6-4.