Saturday, May 23, 2009

Kidapawan City holds Philippine Tennis Open Tournament


Kidapawan City hosts first Philippine tennis tourney. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)


KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 23, 2009) - For the first time, Kidapawan City in Mindanao island, was chosen to be the venue of the Philippine Tennis Open.
"The preparation was short, but the result was great" said Dr. Edwin Gantuangco, President of the Kidapawan City Tennis Club, who led the team in making this event a success.

This year's theme "Play tennis and add joy and years to your life," simply wants to encourage everyone especially the youth to be active in sports, like tennis.

“This is also a venue to show that peace and order in Mindanao is and will never be a hindrance to host such sporting events,” Gantuangco told the Mindanao Examiner.

The competition was tough, as dozens of tennis players from all around the country joined the event. "There were almost 100 players who wanted to join, but due to the bad weather, only 60 made it here, Gantuangco said.

Manila’s Elbert Anasta was named champion after he defeated Rocky Paglalunan in the singles category. Doing the same offense as his opponent was Anasta's secret to victory, he said.
On the other hand, Paglalunan did not stop until his name was not put on the winners list.

After being paired with Ronard Jovan, the 2nd placer in singles events, made it to the championship in doubles category. “This simply implies that Filipinos never say die,” Gantuangco said.

“All players did not come here to just play, but to prove themselves as they make their names shine even more in their chosen sport,” he added. (Giovani Solmerano and Mary Nina Rodriguez)

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