AJ LIM showed his readiness to shoot for a medal in this December’s Southeast Asian Games after he topped the men’s singles of the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open in Paco, Manila over the weekend.

It was evident in Mr. Lim’s 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Jed Olivarez that not only secured his fourth crown in the annual meet but also reaffirmed his status as the country’s top male netter.

In the process, it also earned the 26-year-old Mr. Lim the top purse worth P200,000.

“We are tremendously proud and filled with joy at AJ Lim’s performance,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, whose Cebuana Lhuillier has helped bankroll Mr. Lim’s SEA Games preparation.

“His dedication, discipline, and heart truly reflect the spirit of Cebuana Lhuillier. To see him rise once more to claim the PCA Open title is a moment of great pride not only for us, but for Philippine tennis as a whole,” he added.

The PCA crown was Mr. Lim’s fourth, which came exactly a decade when he claimed his very first and setting a record as the youngest ever winner of the said tournament at 16 years old.

Mr. Lim, of course, is expected to be part of the SEA Games-bound national squad that should be spearheaded by the country’s current pride in Alex Eala.

Tennielle Madis routed Kaye Anne Emana, 6-0, 6-3, to snare the women’s title while Johnny Arcilla and Bryan Saarenas edged Fritz Chris Verdad and Rolly Saga, 6-3, 5-7, 11-9, to rule the men’s doubles. — Joey Villar