Cebuana netter knocks on generous hearts

CEBU, Philippines – This young lady from the city of Carcar is without doubt one of the most promising Cebuana netters today.

Since learning the ropes of this racquet sport at the tender age of five, she always makes an impression in every challenge she is faced with.

In her first major tournament, the seventh grader from Carcar Academy swiftly made an impact by winning bronze medal in elementary girls singles of lawn tennis event during the 2012 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association  Meet in Dumaguete City. That same year, she settled for first runer-up honors in the girls 12-under category of the Head-Smart Age-Group Championships at the CITCI courts in Laray, Consolacion. She was eight years old then.

That twin victories became her springboard in carving her own niche in Cebu sports community.

Now 13 yeards old, Elizabeth H. Abarquez continued to stamp her class, even against tough opponents. And she's just getting better each year. She was crowned girls 12-under champion of the 2013 Naga City Mayor's Cup.

Abarquez claimed another title via the same category in the Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Championships staged at the Baseline Sports and Recreation Center on December 6-9, 2013. She missed a golden treble though as she placed only second in the girls 14-under of the 27th Milo Little Olympics.

In her budding career, 2014 was the most productive and brightest year, so far, for the youthful Abarquez. After finishing as first runner-up in the 19th Gullas Cup at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, she went on to clinch gold in the CVIRAA Meet hosted by Cebu City on Febriary 9-13 last year. She followed it up with a precious silver medal in the Palarong Pambansa on May 4-11, 2014 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Abarquez, who looks up to Russian superstar Maria Sharapova as her idol, wasn't done from there. She grabbed bronze medal in the Batang Pinoy Visayas eliminations on October 22-25 in Kalibo, Aklan, the bagged another championship trophy through the girls 14-under age group of the Palawan Pawnshop-sponsored tilt on December 18-11 in Naga City.

For 2015, Abarquez started the year on the right footing by emerging as champion in the girls 14-under during the Cebu leg of the Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Circuit last January 23-17 at CitiGeen Tennis Resort in Barangay Punta Princesa, this city.

Abarquez is very eager to accomplish more by taking part in out-of-town tournaments as often as she could, but financial constraints barred her from doing so. She only gets a chances top strut her skills outside of Cebu in events wherein athletes enjoy an all-expense paid trip such as the CVIRAA and Palarong Pambansa.

"My sister has potential in tennis and I have no doubts about her capabilities. Though she had been winning already, she still wants to join more competitions outside of Cebu, and possibly abroad, not only to test her limits but also to bring honor and pride to our country," said Israel 'R-Jay' Abarquez, Elizabeth's older brother who is also a decorated racquet-wielder. "Unfortunately, there's one thing that hinders us from fulfilling her wishes. Playing in an out-of-town event entails a lot of expenses and our family is not capable of supporting her on that matter. That is the reason why we are knocking on the hearts of generous individuals to help her pursue her dreams."

Given all her achievements, the future looks really bright for Elizabeth Abarquez. And it would be even brighter if a helping hand comes along the way. — EBV (FREEMAN)