Tennis star on the rise

An almost 12-year old kid is making waves in the US tennis circuits. Just last week in Alabama, specifically the Boys Southern Open 12’s, seeded 2nd, he won in the doubles finals and came in runner-up in the boys’ singles, losing to the top seed Jordi Bofill of Puerto Rico.

He is nationally ranked by the United States Tennis Association at number 58, in a field of 1,436 illegible players. In his Florida home state, he is ranked number 13 out of 238. This is big time talent, people.

Who is this boy? Powered by takubo, lato and bolinaw, he comes from the land of rosquillos and masi. You guessed it, Liloan. The name is Gabriel Pilones, son of Jerome and Genevieve Pilones. The family migrated to Florida several years ago.

Jerome is a cousin of former PBA player Dodie Ramas, and whose uncle, Leodegario Pilones, played for the then very strong Letran Knights in the early 50’s. If you guys are as ancient as me, you should remember Dodie, Biboy Ravanes and if memory is on my side, Yayoy Alcoseba and their Mama’s Love basketball team. That squad was ridiculously strong it was almost unfair to other teams. Mama’s Love then was the M. Lhuillier/Kwarta Padala now in terms of accomplishments.

Jerome was not the athletic type in his younger years compared to his three elder brothers (Adi, Angel and the late Boy) but Gabe’s accomplishments now more than made up for it.

Gabe should have a large display cabinet for all the plaques, medals and trophies he got from all the tournaments he joined. Attending tennis camps at the Nick Bolletieri Tennis Academy paid good dividends. This academy counts Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Tommy Haas, Venus and Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis as alumnis. With this background, we can be sure that Gabe will go a long, long way. Hey, Cecil Mamiit is in his 30’s so Gabe’s on the right track to take over.

The Bolletieri Academy by the way, was established in Florida in 1978 by yes, Nick. In 1987, it affiliated with the IMG group and expanded, turning it into a multi-sport facility training 15,000 junior, college, adult and pro athletes annually from around the globe. This academy combines intense training with a custom-designed academic curriculum. In their basketball program, alumnis include Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Sebastian Telfair, Loul Deng and Chris Duhon.

Here’s to more tennis tournaments and wins for Gabe Pilones. Go Gabe.!

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The 31st edition of the William Jones Cup has been a nightmare for Team Philippines. So far, as of this writing, we have only won one against Kazakhstan. Why are our basketball officials insist on joining international tournaments where we become midgets among giants. That dream of an Olympic berth will become a nightmare. The Jones Cup? Why not call it the Jones Cough, kay pirme ta maka ubo sa kontra.

With the feud between BAP and SBP unresolved, it would be better for FIBA to suspend us again to save us the embarrassment and ridicule of losing. And to think this team is supposed to be manned by PBA stalwarts. Jimmy Alapag and Dondon Hontiveros should be on that squad. Maybe Rajko Toroman’s Smart Gilas will do better.

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