KUMPIYANSA ang national women’s tennis sa kanilang tsansa sa 32nd Southeast Asian Games sa Cambodia na gaganapin sa May 5-17.
Wala si 2022 US Open Junior singles champion Alexandra Eala sa lineup, ang Pilipinas ay kakatawanin nina Marian Capadocia, Shaira Hope Rivera, Jenaila Rose Prulla at ng nagbabalik na si Khim Iglupas.
Si Eala ay nagbigay ng 3 bronze medals mula sa singles, mixed doubles (kasama si Fil-American Treat Huey) at women’s team (kasama si Capadocia, Rivera at Prulla) sa kanyang unang SEAG appearance sa Vietnam noong nakaraang taon.
“We will try to get the gold. Our players are all not ranked and not full time professionals like the other teams, but we will try out best,” sabi ni athlete-turned-coach Czarina Mae Arevalo.
Tanging sina Capadocia, Rivera at Prulla ang nagsasanay kay Arevalo sa Rizal Memorial Tennis Center magmula noong nakaraang linggo.
Si Iglupas, naglaro noong 2015, 2017 at 2019 subalit nag-skip sa SEAG noong nakaraang taon dahil sa kanyang pag-aaral sa US, ay uuwi ngayong araw.
“We did not get as much exposure as the other countries, but we assure everyone that we will give our all for the county. So please support our tennis team and pray for us as we compete for the Philippines,” sabi ni Capadocia, na nagsanay ng mahigit tatlong buwan sa California.
Nang tanungin kung kumpiyansa siyang magwawagi ng medalya, sinabi ng seven-time Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open singles champion na: “The only thing I can say for now is we will do our very best for the country, we will do our best to win a medal or medals.”
Si Prulla, hinubaran ng korona si Capadocia sa PCA Open final noong nakaraang taon, ay nasa kanyang ikalawang SEAG appearance.
“Me and my teammates together with our coaches are preparing, strategizing and planning for our games ahead. I am ready and prepared for the SEA Games,” anang 17-year-old player mula San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
Sina Prulla, Eala at Alexa Joy Milliam ay nanalo sa World Junior Tennis Championships Asia-Oceania Final Qualifying sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia noong 2019.
Ang pinakamalaking hamon sa Pilipinas ay magmumula sa Thailand, na nakakolekta ng 4 gold, 3 silver at 2 bronze medals sa Vietnam.
Pumangalawa ang Vietnam na may 1 gold, 2 silvers at 3 bronzes, habang ang Pilipinas ay may 1 gold, 1 silver at 4 bronzes.
CLYDE MARIANO
