Philippine women’s tennis team in action. (Photo from the Philippine Olympic Committee media pool)
Winning a third-place finish in the 20th Asian Games, the Philippine Women’s Soft Tennis Team delivered the country’s first medal on opening day and likewise the country’s first in soft tennis in the continental showcase.
The Filipina netters captured the bronze after falling to defending champions Japan, 0-2, in the semifinals of the women’s soft tennis event at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Court.
In the first match, the duo of Bien Zoleta-Mañalac and Princess Catindig were overpowered by Japan’s Rena Temma and Kiho Miyamae, 5-0, even as Christy Sanosa put up a good fight in the second match after finding her groove in the second and third games, but eventually lost to Ayaka Iwakura, who clinched the victory, 4-0.
With the victory, the Japan women’s soft tennis team moves on to the gold medal match.
After the matches, Zoleta-Mañalac, team captain of the Philippine team, expressed elation despite failing to grab the silver or gold.
“Sobrang saya kasi ito nga very historic win for us sa Philippine soft tennis. First time ito na maka-podium finish since 1994. Sobrang happy na naka medal kami para sa bayan,” she enthused.
“Ito ang pinagapangarap namin sa soft tennis. Ito ang Olympics namin so magka-medalya dito is napakalaking bagay para sa amin,” she added as she could not help but turn emotional reflecting on their achievement as a team.
“Hindi lang siya para sa amin, but para sa Pilipinas siya na lalo na kami pala iyong unang nagbigay ng medal. So sana makabigay ng mas malaki moral para sa mga susunod pang national athlete na maglalaro today, tomorrow and the next coming days kasi alam niyo kung galo namin pinaghirapan ito na manalo lalo na Asian Games,” Zoleta-Mañalac shared.
In spite of the loss, the home crowd applauded the Philippine team for their effort against the defending champions.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio personally watched the match and congratulated Zoleta-Mañalac and her teammates.
“Mabuhay po kayo, first ever medal in the Asian Games. Pinanood ko talaga kayo. Alam ko kaya niyo pa manalo ng medal. Focus lang po tayo. Nakakatuwa po ang sport na ito,” Gregorio cited.
“This is a sport na kaya nating ma-develop. Mabuti nalang andito tayo sa Asian Games, prepare and we win more medals . . . This is an opportunity to really promote the sport,” he continued.
The country’s soft tennis players will return to action today for the mixed doubles featuring Zoleta and Samuel Nuguit as well as Sanosa and Sherwin Nuguit.
They will also compete tomorrow in the women’s and men’s singles events.
