2 Cebu netters to join Davao tourney

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuana tennis players Sally Mae Siso and Hanna Espinosa are invited to join the cash-rich 3rd National Men’s and Women’s Invitational Tennis tournament on March 13-16 at the Woodridge Tennis Club courts in Maa, Davao City.

This is the second time that Siso, a student of University of San Carlos (USC), to play in the said event, while Espinosa will see action for the first time.

With a busy schedule in school, both Siso and Espinosa are happy to be invited in the tournament which will also feature the country’s top men’s players led by Johnny Arcilla, who also traces his roots in Cebu.

"First round ra gyud ko pag-una nakong apil ani.Si (Clarisse) Patrimonio  gyud dayon akong nakontra nga No.1 that time.Wa ko ka-adjust dayon.Hard-court pa gyud duwaan didto," said Siso who was able to bring home a runner-up trophy in the women’s doubles alongside Aileen Rogan at that time.

Espinosa for her part, is just excited to be part of the tournament as she hopes to play doubles with Siso being her partner way back in their elementary and secondary years especially in regional meets and Palarong Pambansa.

However, the two Cebuanas cannot choose the partner they want in both women's and mixed doubles event since the pairings will done by drawing of lots.

Arcilla, for his part, has prepared hard for this event as he aims for a grandslam having won the men's singles in the inaugural staging in 2011 and defended it in 2012.There was no tournament last year.

A total of P216,000 in cash prizes are at stake for the winners of the tournament that is one of the highlights for the Araw ng Dabaw festival. — (FREEMAN)