Kuala lumpur: Alberto Lim Jr. will banner the Philippine team in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group IV in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week. Joining him are Eric Olivarez Jr., Ruben Gozales Jr., and Francis Casey Alcantara under the guidance of head coach Joseph Lizardo, a veteran Davis Cup player based in the US.
According to Philippines News Agency, aside from the Philippines, other countries aiming for promotion in the zonal competition are Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Pacific Oceania, Qatar, Iraq, and Nepal. The tournament will feature two pools of four teams each, with the top team in each pool facing the No. 2 team from the other pool in a promotion play-off. Teams finishing third in each pool will contest a relegation play-off against those finishing fourth in the opposite pool. Two teams will earn promotion, while two will be relegated.
Meanwhile, Lim recently clinched the men's singles title at the Mayor Benedict Calderon Cup National Open, held at the Lado del Rio Resort and Roxas Tennis Club in Roxas, Isabela. He defeated Olivarez, 7-5, 6-2, in the final match. On his way to the title, Lim overcame Martelino Ezio, Pablo Gonzaga, Nilo Ledama, and Vicente Anasta.
Olivarez also had an impressive run, defeating Raven Matias, Philippe Coteron, Noel Salupado, and John Benedict Aguilar. In doubles, Olivarez teamed up with Anasta to win the doubles crown over Lim and Lance Fernandez, with a score of 6-7(6), 6-4, 10-8. The event was supported by the Palawan Pawnshop tennis circuit, led by president and CEO Bobby Castro.
Other winners in the tournament included Jing Cabauatan and Rachelle Meneses in the Classified Women's B minus category, Beverlyn Galleta and Cristina Espinosa in the Classified Women's B plus, Ivan Manila and Neil Tanggalin in Legends Men's 30-and-below, Cliff Acaso and Roy Tan in Legends Men's 30-and-above, Reynante Galvante and Apollo Torres in Legends Men's 40- and 50-and-above, Gerry Monsanto and Manny Lucas in Legends Men's 60-and-above, and Paula Uy and Loucas Fernandez in Open Mixed.
The next event on the Palawan Pawnshop-PPS-PEPP calendar is the Rep. Eric Olivarez National Open from July 19 to 30 at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Para±aque.