The Cagayan de Oro delegation to the 40th Philippine Columbian Association Open Age Group Championships led by the Philippine Tennis Academy kids put up a good showing in the tournament held recently at PCA Sports Club Complex at Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila.
Philippine Tennis Academy (PTA) is a grassroots program based in Nazareth Tennis Courts, Bgy. Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City. PTA Cagayan de Oro had the most number of kids who made a deep run in the various age group categories under Coach Eson Autentico.
“Our Cagayan de Oro delegation had the most number of outstanding performers with one champion, three finalists (three singles), eight semi-finalists (five singles, three doubles), and six quarterfinalists (three singles, three doubles),” Coach Eson stressed.
(2nd row): Coach Alein Sanchez, Cherika Sanchez, Cyrel Mae Sanchez, *, Carlo Gabriel Mejia, Lance Ethan Dy, Al Joseph Thio Autentico, Precious Ramziyah B. Lucman, Kyle Mozart S. Ramos, Atty. Tiburcio Palasan
(3rd row) Keira Aionah D. Salvo, Shaina Mae Rubillar, Angel Queen Autentico, Francine Madeleine Wong, Al Rasheed Lucman
(4th row): Carlson Paul Dinawanao, *, *,*, Zionne Yvolet Legaspi, Troy Joshua Lapara, Ralph Sanchez, Coach Delson Autentico, Kian John Sanchez
The Kagay-anon charge was led by Ela Marie Sanchez and Carlo Gabriel Mejia Semi who won the Unisex 10 years and under Doubles category diadem.
Also making it to the finals not quite making the top podium were Kenzo Ramos (12 yrs and under Boys); Cyrel Mae Sanchez (12 yrs and under, Girls); and Al Rasheed Lucman (16 yrs and under, Boys).
Going as far as the semi-final round were Carlo Gabriel Mejia (10 yrs & under, Boys); Francine Madeleine Wong (12 yrs & under, Girls); Zacci Elyse Yuipco (14 yrs & under, Girls); Kian Jan Sanchez (16 yrs & under, Boys); Abdul Ganie Acoon (14 yrs & under, Boys); Ivan Benedict Sanchez & Kenzo Mozart Ramos (12 yrs & under, Boys Doubles); Zacci Elyse Yuipco & Cyrel Mae Sanchez (14 yrs & under, Girls, Doubles); and Francine Madeleine Wong & Kresthan Belacas (Unisex 10 yrs & under Doubles).
Not the least, the following also made it to the quarterfinals: Troy Joshua Lapara (16 yrs and under, Boys); Yusuf Hadi Mangotara (16 yrs and under, Boys) ; Ivan Benedict Sanchez (12 yrs & under, Boys); Cherika Sanchez & Anica Amoguis (14 yrs and under, Girls Doubles); Yusuf Mangotara & Chauncy Aguanta (18 yrs & under, Boys Doubles) and Troy Joshua Lapara & Kian John Sanchez ((18 yrs & under, Boys Doubles).
Michelle Du Wong, mother of standout Francine Madeleine Du Wong, noted that the PTA CDO delegation has the talents but were not used to the shell courts of the PCA since there are currently none at present in Cagayan de Oro.
“Our kids are really talented but since there are no shell courts in Cagayan de Oro, they had a hard time getting used to the PCA shell courts,” she noted. “Hopefully, our city administration can allocate maybe three shell courts in the City Tennis Courts currently under construction in Apovel Subdivision as a practice facility for our future tennis champions.”
Added Coach Eson: “Hopefully, we can also borrow a page from the Iloilo Age Group Delegation which has enjoyed the constant support of the LGU. Even in municipalities like Kibawe and Dangcagan, Bukidnon, their LGUs employ coaches to train the kids in designated courts with matching budgets for the coach, balls and equipment. Unfortunately, we have never enjoyed such support for tennis. For instance, for the coming Batang Pinoy this December, we have no entries from Cagayan de Oro.”
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