By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The Philippines’ bagged three silver medals in the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) Manila Open at Padel Play in Mandaluyong City Sunday night.
Joanna Tao Yee Tan, ranked No. 2 in the APPT rankings, and Mariam Yasmin Garsin lost to Japanese Kotomi Ozawa and Spanish Elizabeth Nogueras, 1-6, 2-6, in the pro female final.
Tan got another silver medal in the pro mix with Argil Lance Cañizares. They bowed to Ozawa and Malaysian Christian Didier Chin, 4-6, 5-7.
In the pro men final, Spanish pair Pol Asina and Eduard Altimeres Ros defeated compatriots Marc Bernils and Sergi Nogueras Lorenz, 7-6, 6-4.
In the amateur category, Malaysians Tiong Hoey Chua and Wee Ming Hock won the men’s title over Kobe Cuppens of Belgium and Alexandre Renard, 6-3, 7-6.
Lune Wang and Luciana Ingaramo pocketed the women’s title over Filipinos Mayumi Jane Toribio and Elmira Pagot, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
In the amateur mix final, Hiu Laam Isabella Chan and Tsz Yan Adrian Yao downed Wang and Giorgio Berni, 6-1, 6-1.
Padel Pilipinas founder Senator Pia Cayetano sees the Philippines as an emerging global sports hub with the Manila Open hosting.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the Philippines to really be in the loop of sports hosting because that’s where the world is going, the wellness and sports tourism,” she said.
Cayetano, a known advocate for sports development, noted that events such as the APPT Manila Open provides a platform to showcase Filipino talents while also allowing local athletes to meet and compete with foreign players.
“Meeting new faces is [always] good for the sport. [We’re] strengthening our friendships with the different teams all over the region,” she added.
Cayetano also stressed the need to build a strong national team. While the country has produced outstanding individual athletes, she said a more systematic approach is needed to develop a sports program that nurtures future generations of players.
“The goal is to build a strong team. That they’re inspirational. That they’re also learning in the process. So, that’s what I see with our national team right now,” she said. (PNA)
