Cebu’s Sisos whip 'em all in Peugeot netfest
CEBU’S Siso siblings on Sunday proved too strong for their Cagayan de Oro rivals to sweep the singles titles of the first Peugeot Philippines Tennis Open Regional Qualifier at the tru-flex courts of Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
After pocketing the doubles crown with Charisse Java at the expense of Oro pair Janelle Carmela Llavore and Anjelica Devi Mosqueda, 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday afternoon, the diminutive Sally Mae Siso came energetic the next morning to complete a double-whammy by dominating the younger Llavore, 6-0, 6-2 for the Women’s Open plum.
“Ingon ani gyod tingali ang gagmay, abtikon (Maybe small athletes are just blessed with high-octane),” said the 21-year-old Siso, adding in jest: “Gamay gyod ko kay wala man ko nipasar sa 5`2” nga height limit sa PMA (Philippine Military Academy).
Denied earlier of the doubles victory by homeground heroes Danilo Sajonia and Lenario Autentico, Sally Mae’s 22-year-old brother Bernardine Siso returned to the singles final fully energized and seething with revenge.
Not even the cool Sunday morning’s friendly weather could save Sajonia from drifting as the former San Carlos University standout Siso steadily bombarded him with strong forehand smashes and near-flawless looping returns en route to a lopsided 6-3, 6-1 finish for the Men’s Open diadem.
“Peldi gyod. Bata paman gud alkanse ta sa dinaganay maskin lisod makuha pa nya’g balik ang bola,” said the 44-year-old Sajonia whose tandem with Nazareth buddy Autentico dealt Siso and Bernan Lou Bering a 6-1, 3-6, 10-4 beating in late Saturday afternoon’s doubles final.
“Advantage `ming Lenlen (Autentico) sa netting kay they’re basically baseline players. Still, it’s tough kay nag-abot pa sa super-tiebreaker, though Siso is really superior in the singles event,” added Sajonia in vernacular.
Asked of his toughest match in the week-long Peugeot netfest, Siso readily acknowledged the shortest Men’s Open participant Nido John Antalan who’s barely standing at 5-foot-1. Siso needed just two sets to oust Antalan right in the first round, but in close margin, 7-5, 6-4.
“I’m lefty and galisod siya sa walhon. Ako ra ang nakadikit sa iya (Siso) and I’m proud of that,” said Antalan, who is also a mainstay of the Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club in Barangay Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City.
At 16, the Corpus Christi bet Llavore said she learned a lot in her titular duel with Sally Mae.
“To improve, kelangan gyod diay nga magtuon ko unsaon pagkuha kon mag-backhand slice ang kontra,” Llavore told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Winners in singles competition each received P20,000 cash and Wilson racket with the runners up getting P10,000 and Wilson back pack. For the doubles, the champions got P11,000, the runners up P7,000 plus medals and tennis items.
On top of that, ITF-licensed referee Mario Inguito Craiz said the champions in singles and doubles categories outrightly qualify to the national finals with an all-expense paid trip to Manila.