ANOTHER Filipina tennis player did the country proud in the international sports scene.
Young sensation Sandra Bautista hacked out a convincing victory, defeating California bet Madelyn Ginsberg in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, to capture the prestigious Level 6 TMX Burbank Open 18-under Singles’ Tennis Championship recently in at the Burbank High School in Burbank, Los Angeles, California, USA.
The 16-year-old pride of Saint Francis Assisi College (Bayanan, Bacoor City) unleashed her solid performance through her spins, dragging her opponent wide with her ability to absorb power shots to blank her 16-year-old rival Ginsberg in the opening set.
Ginsberg then showed a little resistance in the next frame, but it was a little too late against the Philippines’ best bet in the USTA-sanctioned Burbank tourney.
“Coach Cecil Mamiit’s guidance made the big difference. Our almost two weeks of rigid training bore fruit in my conquest here in Burbank. I’m dedicating this victory to our ‘kababayans’ here, everywhere and back home,” said the young champion, daughter of a former Mapua University varsity player and current commissioner of Games and Amusement Board Angel Bautista.
She also acknowledged her coach and workout conditioning trainer Orlando ‘Buboy’ Silvoza for a job well done.
Mamiit was a former US tennis player, who went on to represent the Philippines in several international competitions. A six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, including three in the Manila edition, plus two bronze medals in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, Mamiit is the owner of Tennis Mechanix in Burbank.
Bautista, who also dominated the Regional Athletic Association Meet last month, will come home soon to represent the Region 4 (CALABARZON) in the DepEd Palarong Pambansa 2025 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte this summer from April 4 to May 1.
Prior to Bautista’s triumph, 19-year-old Filipina pro netter Alexandra Eala made waves in the recently concluded Miami Open by reaching the semifinals.