Friday, November 30, 2007 Tabotabo snares two titles in Malaysia
AS things got chaotic at the country’s capital, Vince Marc Tabotabo, a tennis stalwart from southern Cebu remained calm and focused in Malaysia.
The young netter from Tuburan is making waves in Malaysia as he collared two titles in the Penang Open International Age Group Tennis Championships 2007.
Tabotabo won his third gold medal in the four-part Malaysian tennis competition by out playing three Koreans.
The nine-year-old extended his exploits over seeded Korean players, who were actually tipped to win this competition.
Tabotabo yesterday handed another upset to second seed Hong Jin Wong, 6-1, 6-4, to win the Boys 10 division. He earlier defeated top seed Korean Sim Sung Been of Korea in the semifinals the other day. In the doubles event, Tabotabo and Davao City’s Christian Lopez defeated Ong Yong Jie Isaac and Irong Jin Won of Singapore, 6-1,6-1, in the semis before heading for the finals. In the title round, the Filipino duo passed through the eye of the needle before winning over Been and Jrong Won in three sets, 4-6, 6-7, 2-7.
Tabotabo is supported by Vice Governor Greg Sanchez and coached by Prospero Ruellan.
The other Cebuanos, Jacob Lagman, the Siso siblings—Sally Mae and Bernardine Niño—and Antique’s Marian Capadocia moved to the semifinal rounds of their respective divisions after separate exploits yesterday.
Lagman completed an easy victory over Muhammad Asyraf Bin Azhaf, 6-2, 6-1, to book a semis outing in the boys 12 division.
Lagman arranged a semifinal match with Ahmad Deedat, the top ranked player in their age group.
Deedat had been Lagman’s main opponent when the Cebuano last played for Malaysia the other year for the Boys 12 division, That time, Deedat was Malaysia’s top player in that age division and always wound up in the final round with Lagman.
Lagman, however, always overpowered the Malaysian.
It has been two years since they faced each other. Now that they are older and more experienced they will take on each other again in today’s semifinals.
Niño, on the other hand, defeated Kevin Loke Ke-Wei anew, 6-2, 6-4, and will be playing in the semifinals against Kenneth Tan Wei Shen.
Sally Mae blanked her quarterfinal opponent, Lee Su Ling of Singapore, 6-0, 6-0 to arrange a semis outing with another Singaporean in the Girls 14 division.
Capadocia, meanwhile, won over Alyssa Boey Chia Peng, 7-5, 6-4, and will be facing Ju Hyaw Ji of Korea in the semis of the Girls 12.
The Cebuanos earned their way to Malaysia after dominating their respective divisions in a number of qualifying competitions. (MCB)
