AFTER his decent performance in a national men’s open competition last week in Bacolod City, Cebu’s prodigious junior netter, Jacob Lagman, will be taking part in the biggest junior tournament to hit the country, the 21st Mitsubishi Lancer International Junior Tennis Championship, starting today
Lagman, who finished off two players in the men’s tournament, will be facing equally daunting opponents from Sweden, Germany, Russia, US, Netherlands, Inida, Korea and Thailand.
“We were watching the qualifying tournaments and the players are really very powerful. From the qualifying tournament alone, we know it is going to be a tough competition,” said his mother Julie.
The tournament is an ITF-sanctioned competition and is part of the ITF junior calendar for the year.
Lagman was given a wildcard entry into the competition. He will be joining fifth-seed Francis Alcantara, who is ranked 39 in the world.
Right after Bacolod, Lagman went home to train in a hard court in preparation for the Mitsubishi event.
“He needed to adjust because in Bacolod it was shell clay court,” said Lagman.
The other Filipinos who made it to the main draw via the qualifying tournament are Jason Patrombon, Leander Lazaro and Kim Saraza.
“Among the Filipinos here, Jacob is the newest face. These guys have already been to ITF tournaments and this is Jacob’s first,” added Julie.
Julie said they do not expect Jacob to become champion in this tournament and just want the 14-year-old Sacred Heart School Jesuit student to gain more experience.
“The most important thing is for him to continue the momentum. He has been competing in higher tournaments and it’s best that it continues,” said Julie, adding they are eying more ITF tournaments for Jacob to take part in for the summer.