Sunday, April 20, 2008 Davao's El Santo Santos: Facing a whole new world By Marianne Saberon-Abalayan
FOR a new high school graduate, greater challenges await ace tennis player El Santo Santos when he steps into an entirely different world in college this June.
Jok-Jok, as Santos is fondly called by friends and relatives, is an accomplished age-group netter having donned the country's colors in the Jr. Davis Cup in Australia in 2005.
On the same year, he salvaged a bronze medal in the Junior ATF Tournament on November 17.
A year after that, he captured the gold in the boys singles event of the 2006 BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games held in Makassar, Indonesia. He also won two silvers in boys doubles and mixed doubles events in the biennial games that fosters camaraderie among the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) members.
The Rizal Memorial Collegel product also harvested a host of accolades in local, regional and national competitions.
Santos clinched a singles gold medal during the 2nd Philippine National Youth "Batang Pinoy" Games in Bacolod in 2002. He then powered his team to win the team event gold in the nationwide grassroots sports development program for 12 years old and below.
He bagged the gold in the 2004 Palarong Pambansa in Tubod, Lanao del Norte. He swept titles in the Jr. Australian Open, Milo Age Group and Andradas Cup all held in Manila in 2006.
This Quezon City-born player, who was born to parents Marcelo and Myra Santos, topped the 2007 Daza Cup in Manila and followed it up with two sterling performances in the Escudero Cup and Alina Cup in Laguna held on the same year.
He had won numerous leg titles in the annual Head Penn Junior Tennis Tour and had ranked consistently among the top three or top five in the country's boys 14-under and 16-under categories.
Facing reality
Now that Jok-Jok's junior year in tennis is past, he will try to conquer the odds and start to make a name in men's tennis. His signing up with Brokenshire College as a varsity scholar will further direct him to that goal.
His Tita Luz told Sun.Star Davao in an interview: "Magsisimula na naman siyang mag-earn ng points sa men's. Tapos na kasi siya sa juniors. Sana makakayanan niya ang mga pagsubok dahil hindi rin madali ang magiging kurso niya na nursing (He willl start from scratch in men's tennis. He's done with the juniors. I hope he makes it despite the rigors of being a Nursing student)."
Jok-Jok, who keeps a room at S.I.R. Matina, said: "Within five to 10 years, I will pursue my studies first and return to tennis as a coach in the international level."
"But I have always dreamed of becoming a world champion like my idols Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. I really admire them for being so cool in the game and for being so talented. They inspire me. Both tennis greats had earned a lot of money and traveled around the world through tennis," he added.
Jok-Jok truly loves the sport that he is willing to live life again and still become a tennis player. "I love it. It's a great sport. Being an athlete helps me to be fit and healthy. I always feel conditioned throughout the day," he said.
The chinky-eyed lanky lad, who stands five-foot-seven, recalled that he was so engrossed watching tennis competitions on television that paved the way for him to like tennis. And with the prodding of uncle Rene Salita, also a tennis player, Jok-Jok at last began to learn the sport at the age of five.
"I first competed in an event held at the Capitol Tennis Club in Davao City. I placed second then. I first became champion during the Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet then went on to win first place honors in national meets like the the Batang Pinoy Games and Palarong Pambansa. My greatest achievement so far is winning a gold medal in the BIMP-Eaga Games," said Santos, who completed his elementary education at the Imelda Elementary School in Tagum City.
His involvement in tennis had helped him in three ways. "I've acquired a free High School education, gained a lot of friends and play the sport I truly enjoy. I hope to pursue my tennis career even in college," Jok-Jok said.
Jok-Jok recently pocketed the Davao City boys 18-under leg title over Ateneo de Davao University's Andrei Dizon in the Head Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit at the Ecoland Phase 4 Tennis Club courts.
Indeed, Jok-Jok Santos has grown to be a more dedicated and respectable athlete anyone can emulate.
