By Dennis Abrina
LAS PIÑAS CITY — A Senate Resolution recognizing the Philippine Soft Tennis team for its medal haul in the recent 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia was passed last May 31, 2023.
Authored by Senators Sonny Angara and co-authored by Bong Go, Resolution no. 66 commended the outstanding performance of the Philippine Soft Tennis Association’s national players, under the guidance of its leaders, led by Chairman Emeritus Dr./Brig. Gen. Antonio Laperal Tamayo and national president Captain Robert Joseph ‘Bobby’ Moran, PAFR, as they won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the recent 32nd SEA Games held in Cambodia.
The team, under head coach Divine Escala and coaches Michael John Enriquez and Josephine ‘Bing’ Paguyo, won gold in the men’s singles, with team member Joseph Arcilla and another gold in the Women’s Doubles event with Noelle Conchita Corazon Zoleta-Mañalac and Princess Catindig. They also won another gold medal in the Women’s Team event, with Zoleta-Mañalac, Catindig, Virvienial Bejosano, Christy Sanosa, Fatima Amirul and Noelle Nikki Camille Zoleta.
Zoleta also bagged a silver medal in the women’s singles, while the men’s team of Arcilla, Dheo Talatayod, Mark Anthony Alcoseba, Sherwin Ray Nuguit. Adjuthor Moralde and George Patrick Mendoza took a bronze medal.
Sanosa is an International Hospitality Management student at the University of Perpetual Help System, which Tamayo chairs. Nuguit is a Grade 10 student of the same institution, while Arcilla was also a former student and varsity player.
The Senate resolution said that the team’s recent performance in Cambodia “not only showcased the prowess of our Filipino athletes, but also their determination to bring home the glory to a proud and grateful nation.”
“We thank the Senate for recognizing the efforts of our athletes and the Philippine Soft Tennis Association in the last SEA Games. This will inspire all of us to work harder and continue to win more gold and glory for our country,” Tamayo added.
The Philippine team also bagged one silver and six bronze medals in the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia and three gold medals in the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.
