Olivarez wears down Lim in finale

MANILA, Philippines — In an anti-climactic finish, Eric Jed Olivarez pulled it off against longtime rival Alberto Lim Jr. 6-4, 2-6, 2-1(ret.) and captured the Cong. Eric Olivarez National Open Tennis Championship crown after Lim retired due to dizziness.

Lim had bested Olivarez in back-to-back finals at the Iloilo National Open and Calderon Cup in Isabela, giving their third straight title clash an added layer of intrigue.

This time, however, it was Olivarez who emerged triumphant at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque, after Lim was forced to retire early in the third set.

The 26-year-old Lim, eyeing a three-peat over Olivarez, had rebounded from a first-set loss to dominate the second. But after they split the first two games of the decider, he complained of dizziness and was taken to the nearby Olivarez Hospital for confinement.

For Olivarez, the victory was worth P60,000.

Olivarez’ road to the title included victories over Gabriel Gurria, Al Tristan Licayan, Nilo Ledama, and doubles partner Vicente Anasta.