Monday, July 02, 2007 Tabotabo bags 13th title; gets scholarship
LUCKY 13.
Cebuano junior netter Vince Mark Tabotabo collected his 13th title in the 10 and under unisex division yesterday in the Olivarez National Age Group Tennis Tournament, starting a string of good fortune for the Tuburan native.
Tabotabo won his finals match in an emphatic manner, serving the upset axe on top seed Eric Olivarez, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, in their final encounter.
Tabotabo, who is only seeded second in the competition, defeated the top seed and internationalist Olivarez, for the third straight time.
The ten-year-old had difficulty finding his rhythm and blundered in the first set. He, however, made up for it in the second set, where he only allowed Olivarez to take one game off him.
Fortune
For the national ranking that will be released by the Philippine Tennis Association anytime this month, Olivarez will be relegated to second place with Tabotabo overtaking him at the top of the ranking.
Adding to the string of good fortunes for the Tuburan native is a scholarship grant given to him by Jose Rizal University (JRU).
Tabotabo will be taking temporary residence in Manila as more tournaments are there for him to take part in.
Aside from this, he is also preparing for two huge events that will happen in his young life. One is a trip to Korea for a competition with a bunch of other Filipinos including Cebuano Jacob Lagman and Olivarez, while Tabotabo is also waiting for the final word for a training stint in another country.
Tabotabo’s father Titus said they decided to stay in JRU because it was an offer they could not refuse.
Titus was also offered a coaching stint, where he handles ten players from the high school and college varsities. The Tabotabos’ will be enjoying free accommodation at air-conditioned rooms and free meals from JRU.
Vince Mark, who is now a Grade 5 student, is being supported by Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. in his endeavors in Manila. (MCB)
