Friday, April 04, 2008 Siso, Lagman move to Trufex semis
CEBUANO junior netters moved to the penultimate round of the Truflex Tennis Tournament in contrasting fashion after their respective quarterfinal matches yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts.
While Sally Mae Siso sailed through an easy round-of-8 match-up in the Girls 14 division, it took Jacob Lagman two hours and thirty minutes before dislodging his opponent in the Boys 14 division.
Siso, who is the top-seeded player in this division, lived up to her lofty billing after easily trouncing Crizzane Paulino in two sets, 6-2, 6-0 to arrange a a semifinal showdown with Marinel Rudas today.
Boys 14 No. 2 player Jacob Lagman had to overhaul a first set deficit before winning over Calvin Canlas in three sets, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.
A tight contest had ensued in the opening set, which eventually went to Canlas. Determined to extend his exploits in this competition, Lagman unleashed a furious rally to claim the next two sets to advance to the semifinal round of his division.
Lagman’s next opponent will either be third seed argil Canizares or fourth seed Rafael Squillantini. The two were still set to play in the quarterfinals yesterday.
Meanwhile, Siso is currently juggling a title bid and training for her next international competition set in China later this month.
Siso will be going to China on April 20 to take part in the 2008 Asia Oceania World Junior 14-Under Tennis Championships, set at the East Lake Tennis Club in Shenzen City.
Siso recently competed in two competitions in Jakarta, Indonesia for the Asian 14-Under competition. She was chosen to represent the country along with Shanine Olivarez in the girls side and Enrique Ferrer, Dheo Talatayod and Arjohn dela Cruz in the boys team.
For the China tilt, the boys team will be competing a week earlier than the girls. Siso and Olivarez will be joined by Macy Gonzales and coach Rolando Ruel.
Unlike the Asian 14-Under, the Philippine Tennis Association will be shouldering the athletes’ airfare for China.
To prepare for China, Siso’s spare time when not competing in the Truflex competition, is devoted to training. (MCB)
