Gentry Open tennis tilt stakes P3 million prize pool

MANILA, Philippines — A mix of local tennis legends and rising stars headline the field in the bigger, grander Gentry Open with the biggest prize pool in history is all set on August 20-30 at the Colegio de San Agustin Tennis Stadium in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

AJ Lim and Jed Olivarez are out to challenge the grizzled Francis Casey Alcantara, Ruben Gonzales and Cecil Mamiit among the few, while at least eight foreign players loom as heavy contenders as well in the second edition of the newest tennis tournament in the country founded by Gentry Timepieces president Hayb "Pareng Hayb" Anzures.

A whopping prize pool of P3 million, including a P400,000 grand prize for the men's champion, is entered in the joust also backed by the Palawan Pawnshop and the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) with Skywarrior serving as official tennis ball provider.

"This will uplift the Philippine tennis community and motivate our Filipino youth to play at an international standard," said Anzures. "Last year, we made a huge impact in the community in terms of awareness and this year, we're trying to focus more on player development. We want to raise the bar every year."

Part of the historic tourney is also a mission to untap more grassroots talents with hope of finding the country's next tennis star after Alex Eala, who has already achieved a bevy of firsts for Philippine tennis including a Round of 16 finish in the ongoing Wimbledon.

"We hope to discover the next Alex Ealas," added Miguel Mangabat, PalawanPay marketing manager, on the heels of also a successful Palawan Tennis Open last may at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Filipino-American ace Christopher Papa and Arthur Craig Pantino ruled the 2025 Gentry Open and the 2026 Palawan Open, respectively, against a similar foe in Lim, who is out to finally complete the business, as the country blossoms with more tennis tournaments in a golden age led by Eala.

With Eala's rise, Gentry Open will also have a junior division for both boys and girls with now a total of at least 300 entrants across all categories after an inaugural edition last year.

With the CSA having 11 courts, Gentry Open will have a direct Round of 64 for men's singles (Round of 32 for doubles) and Round of 32 for the women's singles (Round of 16 for doubles) while the junior division will have a straight Round of 128 draw.