Cebu City hauls 5 golds in PNG soft tennis

CEBU, Philippines- In their first venture in soft tennis, the Cebuano netters performed beyond expectations as they stunned PHL Team members on the way to haul five gold medals in the penultimate day of the Philippine National Games yesterday at the Grand Slam tennis courts in Bacolod City.

The decorated Sally Mae Siso was happy enough that her setback in lawn tennis event was covered up by her triumph in soft tennis, which she least expected because she was up against the country's top players.

“Ganahan na kaayo mi manguli after sa lawn tennis event namo the other day pero we still have to play in soft tennis the next day. Wa gyud mi magdahum nga sa soft tennis diay mi maka-gold medal kay first time pa gud namo moduwa ani ug mga Philippine team members pa gyud among mga kontra,” said Siso, who slammed Pauline Cacapit, 3-0, to claim the girls 18-under tiara.

Sallymae's elder sister Sallydine was equally impressive in a 3-0 whitewash of Tao Yee Tan, 3-0, to win the girls 21-under title.

With powers combined, the exemplary Siso siblings also secured the women’s juniors doubles crown after they blanked Edirlyn Peralta and Pauline Cacapit, 4-0, in the final.

In the men’s bracket, Kennex Abadia added another gold as he got the 21-under boys plum after pummeling Gerard Bergavera, 3-2 (7-5) in the finals.

Abadia, along with PHL team member Davis Alano, ruled the men’s juniors after beating Brian Macabata and Arjay Canoza, 4-1.

“We are very happy with this unexpected victory. Bisan lisud kaayo at first kay ga-adjust mi from lawn to soft tennis, at the end nakadaug gihapon mi,” said Siso.

In lawn tennis, Israel Abarquez failed to get the gold medal after bowing to Elbert Anasta, 6-3 (7-5).

JUDO

Phil-Japanese judoka Eiichi Yahata bagged Cebu’s first gold in the judo competition after dominating the 90 kgs. category in the juniors division. Earlier, he won bronze in the seniors division of the same category.

His younger sister, 12-year old Eiko Yahata, went home with a silver in the 16-under, 70 kgs. class.

As of this writing, the Cebu City City Niños have amassess 40 golds, 27 silvers and 47 bronzes. (FREEMAN NEWS)