Make way for local tennis’ version of Sister Act

THE second leg of the SMART/HEAD Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit 2010 held  at the Petit Barracks of the Zamboanga Lawn Tennis saw the dominance of sisters Chelsea and Kyle Gacho, who ruled their respective divisions.

Chelsea, the younger between the two, stamped her class in the 14-under and 16-under girls’ category while Kyle made her presence felt in the 18-under girls division as they both grabbed the spotlight of the second leg of this ranking tour presented by big tennis supporter Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan of Smart Sports in cooperation with HEAD, Chris Sports, Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) and Toalson.

Chelsea completed a twin kill in the finals, disposing off her two local bets. She had an easier time defeating Shy-Mae Gitalin in the 14-under finals, 6-3, 6-3, then outdueled Danisse Pena, 7-5, 6-1, in the 16-under championship round.

Lightning struck twice on Pena, who lost to the elder Gacho, 6-2, 6-4, in the 18-under division.

The younger Gacho joined Jan Jeric Accion as the top players of this leg. They were given brand new cellphones and P500 load apiece by Smart Communications aside from receiving tennis equipment.

Accion was at his best in the 14-under boys division, outlasting Hakeem Cariga of Lanao del Sur 7-6, (7-4), 6-3, to earn ranking points from the sanctioning Philippine Tennis Association and secure a seat in the Junior Tennis Masters to be held at the end of the year.

Carlo Nono, one of the two top players in the opening leg of this tournament, added another one to his growing list of championship collections when he captured the 16-under boys crown after scuttling Juan Paolo Cansino of Davao City, 6-4, 6-4.

The other champions in different categories are: Ridzkan Dahamban of Zamboanga City, who defeated Khalil Aragon of Pagadian City, 6-2, 6-3 in 10-unisex division; Jaffary Cariga of Lanao del Sur, who ripped Nafih Dahamban, 6-0, 6-1, in the 12-under boys; Nurhana Mujamil of Zamboanga City, who outplayed Dana Jean Tornalejo of Lamitan, Basilan, 7-5, 6-1, in the 12-under girls; and Juan Paolo Cansino of Davao City, who drubbed James Sumaylo, 6-2, 6-4, in the 18-under boys.

The third leg of the SMART/HEAD Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit 2010 goes to Digos City on April 10 in another expected huge turnout at the Digos City Tennis Club.

BY: Marlon Bernardino