Thursday, August 30, 2007 Milo Visayas Regional Finals set at Casino Español this weekend
IT HAS been quite a while since the tennis community was in a frenzy. Now, local junior players are all stirred up again as the Milo Visayas Regional Finals takes place this weekend at the Casino Español tennis courts.
The tournament has been the most awaited event of young netters ages 14 and below as it is the qualifying event for the Malaysia tennis circuit slated later this year. The winners in the Visayas leg, will go on to play in the national finals.
The national winners in the Boys and Girls 14 and under, 12-Under and 10-Under unisex, will be sent in an all-expense-paid trip to Malaysia to represent the country in three to four international competitions held in the different cities.
Renowned tennis players, the Siso siblings Bernardine ‘Niño” and Sally Mae, are already preparing for the event. The two will be taking part in the 14-Under age division.
Last year, Sally Mae’s feat in the Malaysia tennis circuit earned her an accolade as one of the outstanding Cebuanos in sports. She was in fact, the very first one to be handed such an award from the city.
It was Sally Mae’s second time in the Malaysian event, and she came home brimming with five gold medals and one silver. She swept all singles events in four tournaments in Kuala Lumpur, Perlis, Langkawi and in the Girls 12-Under division, while winning another gold and a silver in the doubles competition.
Bernardine, on the other hand, will be trying his luck again, after losing the chance in 2006. In 2005, Bernardine played in Malaysia and came home with two gold and two silver medals. Last year, he failed to qualify when he lost to Kim Ivor Saraza in the national finals.
Pressure will be on Bernardine’s shoulder as he tries to cop a slot to the RP team for the last time. the tournament will only be for players 14 years old and this will be Bernardine’s last chance to join the competition. (MCB)
