VISITING netter Reyman Saldivar Jr. of North Cotabato was the first player to clinch a slot in the boys’12-Under semis after beating Cebuano Gio John Manito, 7-5, 7-5, in the 12th Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Tournament at the CitiGreen Tennis court yesterday.
Saldivar, currently ranked second in the Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) boys’12-Under division, registered a straight set win against Manito after beating Cloyd Canoy in the first round the other day.
Saldivar said that he wants improve his UTP ranking, and the way to do that is to win the 12-Under, where the No.1 rank Heinz Aslan Carbonilla of Lanao del Norte is also playing.
“My target is to become a champion and be the number one in the Philippine (UTP) ranking,” said the 2017 Palarong Pambansa bet for Region 12.
The 11-year-old netter was a double champion (U10 and U12) in 2016 in the Cebuana Age Group Tennis Tournament North Cotabato-Leg, but has missed the event last year for the 6th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) Boy Scout Jamboree in Tagum City.
“It’s my first time to play here in Cebu and I’m having fun. The court is nice here,” said the Grade 5 Enhanced Childhood Learning Center student. (RSC)