WINNING is a familiar territory for Cebu’s tennis sensation Bernardine Niño Siso and he proved this yesterday as he cruised to easy victories in the 12th Gullas Cup tennis tournament yesterday at the Cebu Country Club.
Niño, of the University of San Carlos South Campus, easily trounced Christian Melecio, 6-0, 6-0 to move to the quarterfinal round of the Boys 14 class against Kurt Gerapusco, who had an easy day with a walkover win.
Aside from this, Niño debuted spectacularly in the Boys 18 division, winning his first assignment against Israel Abarquez of Carcar, 6-4, 6-0.
He is up for a tough challenge tomorrow against top-seed John Francis Largo, an awardee of Sportswriters Association of Cebu.
Top player
Though a top player in his own age group, the 14-year-old is the underdog in today’s 11 a.m. match. Niño is a first-time contender in this division and aside from being older, Largo is more experienced and is deemed stronger between the two.
Instead of playing in the 16-Under division, Niño opted to play in the 18-Under to prepare him when he finally joins the elite Men’s Open division.
The move was suggested by national coach Butch Bacani, who came here to train local kids.
“I am apprehensive because Niño is so small. But coach Bacani said Niño should get used to receiving strong and powerful balls,” said Niño’s mother Sally in an interview a day before the Gullas Cup started.
The other winners in the Boys 14-Under are Juniel Abellanosa, Aladin Caminero, Christian Paul Cabahug, Richard Fuentes, Ariel Torion, Dan Eldrid Cinco and Franklin Encarnacion.
Advancing to the next round of the Boys 16-Under class are Gerald Lambayan, Ralph Ramirez and Kinny Orcullo.
Another Siso
Making it to the next round in the distaff side of the 12-Under at the Casino Español courts are Crisianne Kintanar, Clarissa Fuentes, Mary Grace Miñoza, Kimberly Uytico, Kezia Abines and Elgy Dasian.
Sally Mae Siso also booked seats to the next round of the Girls 14 and Girls 16 divisions. She moved to the quarterfinal round of the 14-Under after trouncing Marian Capadocia, 6-1, 6-1 and will be facing Mary Christine Bellita, who defeated Khara Abadia, 6-4, 7-5.
Meanwhile in Manila, Jacob Lagman rebounded from absorbing an upset last week to win the 12-Under title of the Gov. Nenita Daza Age Group with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Hans Asistio.
After the Daza event, Lagman will go further up north for the Baguio leg of the Head Penn tennis tilt. (MCB)
