Eric Jed Olivarez further solidified his status as one of Philippine tennis’ brightest stars after clinching the Mayor Edwin Olivarez National Open Tennis Championship crown for the second straight year, emphatically defeating the same opponent he swept in last year’s finals.

Olivarez, 27, delivered another masterclass in composure and athletic maturity, overpowering 19-year-old John Benedict Aguilar, 6-1, 6-3, in the men’s singles finale at the Olivarez Sports Center.

The Western Michigan University standout showcased a blend of collegiate-honed discipline and local-circuit toughness, capping an entire tournament of unbroken straight-set victories — a testament to his growing dominance on home soil.

From the opening game, Olivarez made it clear he intended to keep the crown. Breaking Aguilar three times in the first set, he dictated the tempo with deep returns and timely net pressure.

Aguilar fought valiantly in the early stages of the second set, holding firm through the first four games, but Olivarez’s experience and tactical clarity took over. A crucial hold in the fifth game followed by a break in the sixth allowed him to seize full control and close out the match with authority.

The win added another P100,000 title to Olivarez’s expanding résumé and strengthens his preparations for the SEA Games, where he aims to translate his rising national dominance into international success.

Entering the tournament as the top seed, Olivarez displayed exceptional form throughout. After a first-round bye, he bulldozed through Joshua Diva, 6-0, 6-2, then dismissed Juan Pablo Gonzaga, 6-0, 6-3.

His momentum only grew as he overpowered Mark Alcoseba, 6-1, 6-2, then outclassed John Kendrick Bona, 6-3, 6-1, to book another finals showdown with Aguilar.

On the opposite side of the 64-player draw, the third seeded Aguilar earned his second consecutive crack at Olivarez after a gritty run.

He defeated Hilbert San Jose, 6-3, 6-3, survived a stern challenge from Joaquin de Leon, 6-1, 7-5, and outplayed Nilo Ledama, 6-0, 6-3. Aguilar’s semifinals test came from Jarell Edangga, who pushed him to three sets before Aguilar prevailed, 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3.

In women’s singles, No. 6 seed Tennielle Madis pulled off a series of impressive upsets, defeating top seed Kaye-Ann Emana, 6-4, 6-2, in the semis, before rallying past doubles partner Stefi Aludo in a thrilling final, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Madis and Aludo later teamed up to dominate Guysie Guardo and Kate Imalay, 6-1, 6-1, for the doubles title.

On the men’s doubles side, Al-Zayeed Baid and Evan Bacalso edged Nilo Ledama and Rash Manatad in a nail-biting 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 victory.