Tuesday, January 23, 2007 Netters leave for Iloilo tourney By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
PREPARATIONS of athletes bound for the Arafura Games come full throttle today as the netters included in Greater Cebu Sports Organizing Committee’s (GCSOC) roster of players, take part in various competitions.
First to plunge into action are the tennis players, who are flying for Iloilo today to take part in the General Geary L. Barias Cup tomorrow.
“We are preparing for the Arafura Games. The more tournaments we join, the more warmed up we will be in the games,” said coach Fritz Tabura.
“I want our players to be physically and mentally prepared during the Arafura. Some of the best players of the world are converging in the Arafura Games. We don’t want to be embarrassed. That’s why this will be a good test for the boys,” said GCSOC chief Jonathan Guardo in a press statement.
Competing in the six-day competition are John Francis Largo, Michael Quiñones, Fritz Gerald Tabura and Adonis Lominoque.
The Men’s Open contest stakes P100,000 total purse, with P18,000 going to the champion.
On the other hand, the table tennis team, mentored by Jessica Jawad-Honoridez, is also gearing up for a series of tournaments outlined before the May games in Darwin, Australia.
Honoridez said she will be organizing a national tournament after the regional and national stagings of the Private Schools Athletic Association, which her wards, Michael Motel, Jay Impuesto and Glen Donaire, will be competing in.
Apart from this, the three will also be taking part in the national selection for the RP team, which will be held in April.
Meanwhile, GCSOC’s executive director Allan Torrevillas said they are trying to hit two birds with one stone with this endeavor.
“Sending these athletes to tournaments is really what GCSOC is all about. The Arafura games is just incidental. So, sending these players to competitions is also preparing them for the Arafura Games,” said Torrevillas.
Torrevillas also said the coaches tapped to assist them for the Arafura are also tasked to make a list of competitions their teams could take part in.
Torrevillas, however, clarified that GCSOC’s assistance is open not only to those tapped for Arafura, but to anyone. “I hope they won’t hesitate to call us,” said Torrevillas, who is concerned that some coaches from groups not allied with GCSOC will hesitate to contact them.
