By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
AJ Lim overpowered Andre Ilagan, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, and captured the men’s singles title in the 40th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at the PCA clay courts in Plaza Dilao, Manila recently.
The 24-year-old Lim banked on his heavy groundstrokes to outhustle the Hawaii-based Ilagan, who is ranked No. 654 in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
It was Lim’s second title in the PCA following his historic victory in 2015 when at 16 years old, dethroned PJ Tierro to become the youngest men’s singles champion.
Lim pocketed P200,000 for his effort.
Lim was a former member of the Philippine Davis Cup team and was a bronze medalist in the men’s singles of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games that the country hosted.
Lim, 24, recently campaigned in Egypt, Thailand and Malaysia where he made heads turn with his power game.
Top seed Marian Capadocia demolished unseeded Theniel Madis, 6-0, 6-1, to rule in the women’s side.
She collected P150,000.
