What started as Pareng Hayb’s dream is rapidly becoming a reality for the local tennis community—a tournament designed to bring players together, celebrate true sportsmanship, and inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes.
During the official Gentry Open 2026 press conference, organizers and corporate partners gathered to announce a historic expansion for the tournament. Scheduled to run from August 20 to August 30, 2026, the massive 11-day event will return to the City of San Jose del Monte (CSA) in Bulacan, bringing together local powerhouses, rising juniors, and an elite pool of international competitors.
Elevating the Game and Breaking Records
Following its successful debut in October 2025, the Gentry Open is aggressively raising the stakes. Founder “Pareng Hayb” revealed that the tournament will officially feature a record-breaking 3 million PHP total prize pool—a 30% increase from the previous year, securing its place as one of the most lucrative tennis tournaments in Philippine history.
Organizers also confirmed that the Philippine Tennis Association has awarded the Gentry Open a prestigious Grade A ranking, recognizing it as a top-tier national athletic platform.
”When I started in my passion towards tennis, I found it still young, and for a lot of very talented Filipino players that have already exerted all their years into tennis, they lack the proper recognition that they need. And for that… the whole team decided to uphold and uplift the tennis community as a whole, especially for the youth and for a lot of elite players here in the Philippines.”
— Pareng Hayb, Founder of Gentry Open
By increasing the prize pot, Pareng Hayb emphasizes a friendly push to raise standards across the local sports industry, working side-by-side with other major groups rather than competing against them.
”We always like to put up the standards… I would like to also clear up the air that this is not a competition between Gentry Open and Palawan Open. This is a very mutual partnership between us… This is not just about a tournament… This is more of our corporate social responsibility towards the youth and towards the students.”
— Pareng Hayb, Founder of Gentry Open
A True “Festival of Tennis” and New Tech Partnerships
Beyond cash incentives, the tournament is placing a massive emphasis on player experience. This year’s logistics will feature dedicated player lounges and training spaces utilizing 9 to 10 of CSA Bulacan’s 11 courts simultaneously every single day.
Furthermore, the event serves as the official launchpad for Sky Warrior, the tournament’s official ball partner. Sky Warrior will debut its top-tier “Black Edition All-Court” ball, giving competitors direct access to premium, international-grade equipment.
Coach Yard Brad of Sky Warrior highlighted that their long-term vision perfectly aligns with Gentry’s pursuit of premium, long-term sports growth.
”As a brand, we want to share the stage with a like-minded vision, which is excellence, innovation, and long-term growth. We see Gentry Open is not just another tennis tournament—it’s a festival of tennis. It’s a long-lasting legacy that Mr. Hayb has introduced in the Philippines… This partnership should benefit both the organization as well as the tennis community.”
— Coach Yard Brad, Sky Warrior Philippines
When asked what makes the new tournament ball distinct, Coach Brad noted:
”This ball hasn’t made it to the Philippines market yet. This ball is being launched at the Gentry Open… Consistent bounce, consistent performance of the ball is the thing. In Sky Warrior, we work on the product quality. We don’t go on the pricing; we want to work for the product quality and we want whatever is better for the players.”
— Coach Yard Brad, Sky Warrior Philippines
Nurturing the Grassroots and Building Legacies
A corner-stone partner of the event is the Palawan Group of Companies, an institution that has driven Philippine grassroots tennis for nearly two decades. Tournament Director Bobby Mendiola will lead the execution of the tournament, ensuring seamless pathways for both the junior categories—which already boast over 300 entries—and the marquee open division.
Palawan representatives view the Gentry Open as a massive game-changer for talent scouting, giving local athletes a rare opportunity to face off against international delegates right on their home soil.
”What makes us proud is that we have a partner like Gentry who is a proud believer of sports and particularly tennis in uplifting the lives of our country… We will be able to discover not just local players but also international players, which is a game-changer. This creates a platform for Gentry to be able to attract players from foreign countries to go here in the Philippines to compete, so that eventually, we hope to discover the next Alex Ealas of this world.”
— Miguel, Palawan Group of Companies
Jella from the Palawan Group echoed these sentiments, noting that sports act as an invaluable vehicle for life skills that extend far beyond the parameters of a tennis court.
”We believe that every child who has an inclination or an interest to play sports deserves the opportunity to do so… We are able to not just spark interest but also really help the youth in building their skills—not just in sports, but really more important is the value of discipline and hard work… We want the young ones to see themselves not just wanting to be the next Alex [Eala], but to see themselves as the next them, really defining themselves with sports.”
— Jella, Palawan Group of Companies
Going International: What’s Next
To push the landscape to international standards, the Gentry Open has confirmed that foreign delegations are already locking in their slots, opening up cross-border competition that local players rarely get to experience without expensive travel. Foreign delegation organizers confirmed early commitments from top international athletes holding ATP rankings ranging from the 500s to 1100s, alongside two top women’s players from the US, India, and Bangkok.
Local icons such as AJ Lim, Eric “Jed” Olivarez, Francis Casey Alcantara, and Ruben Gonzales are also heavily anticipated to join the fray.
With registration lines open via the UTR platform until mid-August, the stage is set. The Gentry Open 2026 is poised to be more than a brief point on the calendar—it is a bold blueprint for the future of Philippine tennis.