MANILA – Fourth-seeded pair Tennielle Madis and Stefi Marithe Aludo won the women’s doubles title at the Gentry National Open Tennis Championships, defeating top seeds Elizabeth Abarquez and Rovie Baulate, 6-1, 6-3, at Colegio San Agustin hardcourts in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
The Philippine Tennis Association players advanced to the championship round after eliminating third seeds Aileen Rogan and Paula Ysabelle Uy, 6-1, 6-1.
“We hope to achieve more,” Aludo said.
On Sunday, they will compete against each other for the singles title.
Meanwhile, Arthur Craig Pantino defeated second seed Eric Jed Olivarez, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the men’s singles semifinal.
“It was a very tough match, both physically and mentally. It was anybody’s game. It was just a matter of taking the important points,” the 24-year-old Pantino of Cebu said.
“Going into this match, I didn’t think about winning. I know Jed is a really good player and he is No. 2 in the Philippines for a reason. I just wanted to play my game and enjoy the match.”
Pantino will face top seed and four-time Philippine Columbian Association Open champion Alberto Lim Jr., who defeated No. 9 Charles Kinaadman, 6-4, 7-6 (5).
“Same mentality against Jed. Play free and enjoy. I got nothing to lose,” he said.
For the Philippine Tennis Association coach, hard work is the key.
“The team has a very high morale, with Tenny and Stefi winning the doubles and them playing in the singles final, and Iggy (Pantino) in the men’s singles final. Our hard work paid off,” the coach said.
“As a coach, I’m so happy that my players are improving, that’s the result of hard work. The goal is building up our young generation of champions.”
The Gentry Open men’s singles champion will receive PHP300,000 and the runner-up PHP150,000 while in the women’s division, the singles champion and runner-up will receive PHP100,000 and PHP50,000, respectively.
Gentry National Open Tennis Championships
The Gentry National Open Tennis Championships was a prestigious American tennis tournament held in Gentry, Arkansas from 1968 to 1981. It was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit and attracted top players of the era, including legends like Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe, who won the final edition of the tournament.
Colegio San Agustin
Colegio San Agustin is a private Catholic educational institution in the Philippines, originally founded by the Augustinian Order in 1962. Its establishment continued the long tradition of Augustinian education in the country, which dates back to the Spanish colonial period. The school is known for its commitment to academic excellence and the Augustinian values of community, friendship, and the pursuit of truth.
San Jose del Monte
San Jose del Monte is a city in the Philippine province of Bulacan, which has evolved from a rural settlement into a highly urbanized center. Historically, it was established as a visita (mission chapel) of Meycauayan in 1751 and is traditionally associated with the story of a hunter named Jose, who discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary on a hill, leading to its name. Today, it is known for its rapid residential development and its local patron, the Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage).
Bulacan
Bulacan is a province in the Philippines located just north of Manila, renowned for its significant role in the country’s history. It was a major center of activity during the 1896 Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. Today, the province is known for its historical landmarks, vibrant festivals, and local delicacies.
Philippine Tennis Association
The Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) is the national governing body for tennis in the Philippines, founded in 1920. It is responsible for developing the sport, organizing national tournaments, and selecting players for international competitions like the Davis Cup. Historically, PHILTA has been the central institution for promoting both amateur and professional tennis throughout the country.
Philippine Columbian Association Open
The Philippine Columbian Association is a historic private social club in Manila, established in 1917. It is renowned for its beautiful clubhouse and for hosting the Philippine Open, one of Asia’s oldest tennis tournaments, which has been a significant part of the country’s sporting culture for decades.
