Sunday, December 24, 2006 Siso gets scholarship offer By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Correspondent
NOT only did Sally Mae Siso get cash incentives and a chance to be honored in the city’s charter day celebration, she also received a tempting scholarship offer abroad just for her sheer talent in hitting a tennis ball.
Singaporean coach Hendroff Ignatius Patrick offered Siso a scholarship to a university in Singapore, where he coaches the tennis varsity team.
Sally, though she forgot the name of the univerisity, asked for time to consider the offer as it was so lavish.
Patrick, who is also the coach of Siglap Constituency Sports Club, saw Siso during the Malaysian Tennis Circuit, where the coach was accompanying one of his players.
“It was during the third leg in Perlis when he offered us the scholarship because he was very impressed with Sally Mae’s performance,” Siso’s mother Sally said.
Siso won six gold and two silver medals in the Malaysian circuit.
The scholarship includes free board and lodging and chances to compete in International Tennis Federation and Asian Tennis Federation-sanctioned tournaments. After high school, Siso has the option to continue with a college degree or to go to America or Australia for free to train and compete in pro events.
“This is a good chance for her because Emem has always wanted to go professional and we barely have women’s competitions here in the Philippines,” Sally added.
The older Siso, however, did not commit yet, saying her daughter, who is only 12 years old, is too young to be separated from her family.
Meanwhile, Sally added she is very much contended with what the University of San Carlos is giving her kids.
“She and her siblings (tennis standouts Sallydine and Bernadine) get a good education from a very reputable school. I know that we need to sacrifice so that she will advance further in this sport. But that is something that we have to think about many times before deciding,” Sally added.
Meanwhile, USC president Fr. Rod Salazar renewed his support for the Siso siblings during their Christmas party last week.
Salazar said if Siso decides to continue with her studies at the school, then USC will still provide her a scholarship.
During the party, which was supposed to be exclusive for USC employees, Salazar and athletic director Fr. Vic Uy, handed Siso, who was their special guest, a P10,000 cash incentive for her feat in Malaysia.
Aside from this, she also received P5,000 cash reward from her patron Jonathan Guardo and a slot in the delegation for the Arafura Games in Australia next year. She will also be recognized during the city’s charter day and will receive a yet to be finalized cash incentive promised by Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem.
