Philippine Tennis Team Targets Further Progress in Davis Cup Asia-Oceania

MANILA – The Philippine men's tennis squad is determined to build on its recent success as it prepares for upcoming competitions in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone. The team, consisting of Eric Jed Olivarez, AJ Lim, Arthur Craig Pantino, and doubles specialists Ruben Gonzales and Francis Casey Alcantara, recently secured promotion to Group III after a flawless performance in the Group IV qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Coached by former Davis Cup players Joseph Lizardo and Johnny Arcilla, the Filipino team swept all four matches, culminating in a 2-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan in their playoff tie.

"We are expected to win in Group III, and I firmly believe we can," said 27-year-old Eric Jed Olivarez during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Olivarez noted that traditional Southeast Asian tennis powers Thailand and Indonesia are competing at the Group II level, where the Philippines had previously contended before being suspended by the International Tennis Federation.

The team draws motivation from rising star Alex Eala, currently ranked No. 65 in the world women’s singles. "Alex brings immense pride to our country, and we hope she continues to inspire us and other Filipino athletes," Olivarez added.

Philippine Tennis Association Executive Director Tonette Mendoza, who was also present at the forum, confirmed that the same men's team will represent the country at the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok this December. She further revealed that efforts are underway to assemble the women’s team, with hopes of including Eala in the lineup for the biennial event.

The forum was hosted by the Philippine Sportswriters Association and supported by prominent organizations including San Miguel Corporation, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Olympic Committee.