Saturday, October 07, 2006 Cebuano netters start Manila campaign today
THE storm subsided and the sun shone in Manila in time for the national finals of the 2006 Milo Junior Tennis Cup, which starts this morning at the Masco PRB Tennis Center in Dapitan, Manila.
The tournament will be held on clay courts, and rains will make it hard for balls to bounce and players to run.
Tournament manager Jovy Mamawal said that in case it rains again, games may be delayed, but they already have a covered court on standby. There are 20 matches slated in the opening day draw, which starts at 9 a.m.
Unlike the usual knockout system in tennis competitions, the tournament will adopt the round robin format, with the netter with the most number of wins taking the title and the ticket to Malaysia, to represent the country in the Malaysian tennis circuit in December.
Cebuano netters will start their bids in their respective age groups today. Leading the Cebuano hopefuls is Sally Mae Siso of the University of San Carlos South Campus.
RP’s top player
Siso is the country's top-ranked player in the Girls 12 and under division. She is expected to sail to an easy finish in her first match, as she takes on tail-ender Jessa Mendoza of Davao.
"Si Sally Mae ang malakas sa Girls 12 draw," said Philippine Tennis Association's Rene Selmar. Siso is the most experienced player in the group. She is also set to take on other regional winners Crizabelle Paulino of Olongapo-South Luzon and Akiko de Guzman of North Luzon.
On the other end, Vince Mark Tabo-tabo, who advances to the national final for the first time, faces a tall order, as he is booked to take on 10 Under unisex topseed LA Canizares of North Luzon. Tabo-tabo is in the bottom of the seeding and will be facing more prominent national campaigners Francis Edilbert Alcantara and Jurence Mendoza.
Tough game
Sally Mae's older brother Bernardine Niño, who is only seeded third in the 14 Boys class, is up for a tough assignment today when he takes on second seed Leander Lazaro of Manila in his first game. In the afternoon, he will challenge topseed Kim Saraza.
Top two player in the Boys12, Jacob Lagman of St. Benedict Learning Center, will take on third seed Arjohn dela Cruz today. Also competing in the Boys12 are Francis Derrick Alcantara and Dheo Talatayod.
Sallydine Siso, who is ranked second, faces Honeymae Gilles of Davao today. She is also set to battle it out with Linda Marie Santos and JV Custodio, in the girls' 14-under division.
The winners enter the three part Malaysian Tennis Circuit, which will be held in three cities Selangor, Penag and Perlis. (MCB)
