PH netters win big in singles, doubles finals in 2nd week of PHINMA ITF tournament
Filipino players raked in more titles in the second week of the PHINMA Group’s international junior tennis tournament, with victories in both singles’ and doubles’ categories.
Tennielle Madis clinched her second title in the J30 PHINMA International Juniors Tennis Tournament after defeating no. 4 seed Stefi Marithe Aludo in the girls’ singles category 7-5, 6-4 this July 28, Sunday, at the Manila Polo Club.
The day prior, Madis also had an upset victory in the girls’ doubles with her teammate Jana Jelena Nicole Diaz after beating Taiwanese-Indonesian top seed Yu-ching Hsieh and Daniella Clara Suryapranata 6-4, 6-2.
For boys’ singles, Fil-Am netter Elijah Max Calaquian likewise upset no. 2 seed Zi Yi Ou from Taipei at 6-3, 7-6(5). Calaquian, a Filipino player carrying the U.S. flag, also breezed through the finals through an upset win against Hongkonger top seed Sin Hang Tam at 7-6(1), 6-1.
Calaquian and his Filipino teammate Mateo Victor Rivas conquered the boys’ doubles category too after winning 6-4, 6-1 versus the Filipino-Thai tandem of Miguel Iglupas and Tri Srisen.
This marks the 16th year of PHINMA’s tennis tournament, which is first International Tennis Federation-approved one to be held for players 18 & Under since the pandemic’s onset. Its previous winners include Alex Eala, Nino Alcantara, Bryan Otico, Iggy Pantino, and Khim Iglupas.
Present during the awarding were ITF Supervisor/Referee Dharaka Ellawala; ITF PHINMA Tournament Director April Escalona-Toledo; PHINMA Chairman Emeritus and Philippine Tennis Academy (PTA) Chairman Oscar J. Hilado; Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) President and Parañaque Mayor Eric Olivarez; Manila Polo Club President Robert Vergara and Tennis Committee Chairman Raymond Suarez; and PTA President Rommie Chan, Board Members Toñico Climent and Atty. Joey Torres, and Head Coach Bobie Angelo.
“Everybody wants to be a champion, but who is willing to pay the price? The price is hitting the tennis courts while everyone is having fun. The sacrifices you’ve made, these have made you champions,” said Mr. Chan, also the Chairman of Axelum Resources, in his inspirational thank-you message.
Mr. Hilado, a long-time tennis patron, believes together with the PTA in making lives better particularly for underprivileged, outstanding Filipino youth in tennis by providing them exposure to foreign competitors and experience in competing in international tournaments.
PHINMA Chairman Emeritus Oscar J. Hilado during the awarding ceremony of J30 PHINMA International Juniors Tennis Championship Week 2
By excelling in these tournaments, the athletes attract the attention of U.S. NCAA coaches who offer them full ride scholarships in Division one prestigious universities. In fact, under Mr. Hilado’s watch, PTA has a 100% success rate of its athletes getting US college scholarships.
“This effort has been in line with my corporate philosophy in PHINMA, which is to make lives better….I hope that you young people would understand there’s so much to life than making money even when you’re in business. For those who have less in life, give them an opportunity,” said Mr. Hilado.