CAGAYAN de Oro pride Francis Casey Alcantara dedicates his latest triumph in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore to his co-Ateneans, loved ones and his late father.
The first Filipino netter to win the grand slam event in Australia, Niño (as he’s fondly called by friends) never rested on his laurel, adding two more bronze medals in men’s team event and doubles of the Singapore Seag alongside Filipino-American compatriot Treat Huey.
“He’s so proud of the two bronze medals in Singapore. At least, he won’t be going back home empty-handed,” Niño’s amiable mom, Sarah Belle Alcantara, told Cagayan de Oro.
In 2009, Alcantara -- who finished his secondary years at Xavier University High School before heading to California, USA on scholarship grant -- won the Australian Open Boy’s Doubles event in tandem with Hsieh Cheng-peng.
“First time nga record sa Pinoy nga nidaug sa grandslam event,” reminded local fan, Marlon “Pinggoy” Castro.
Alcantara’s feat in Singapore was recognized by no less than Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno on last Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the City Hall ground.
Aside from spending quality time with his family here, Alcantara would frequent the Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club in Barangay Nazareth where he started learning the ropes.
“He would make tambay there with old friends and playmates before returning to US next week,” the elder Alcantara said. (LLS)