National team mainstay Princess Catindig hurdled her first two matches to stay in the hunt for a podium finish in the 1st Asian Junior Soft Tennis Championships at the Colegio San Agustin indoor tennis court in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan on Thursday.
Catindig, a San Beda University player and current MVP in the NCAA, nipped favorite Ana Kawingian of Indonesia 3-2 (8-6) before eliminating Rin Sothery of Cambodia 3-0.
Catindig has to beat Asees Khaurchahay of India in her next match to book a quarterfinal berth in the 13-nation competition.
Meanwhile, Chubby Prince Dan Alano squeezed past Nischal Kayastha of Nepal 3-2 (7-5) in the boys’ 12-under category and towed along MJ Luna of College of St. Benilde, Angela Valdez of Greenland Academy Cainta, Nadine Tiburcio of Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Beda’s Virvienica Bejosano.
Luna outplayed Warakorn Khongraksa of Thailand 3-1 in men’s 21-under category; Valdez blanked Jiani Wei of China 3-0 in the girls’ 15-under category; Tiburcio routed Rima Ray of India 3-0 and Bejosano outclassed Enkhzul Batsaikham of Mongolia 3-0.
Asian Soft Tennis Federation (ASTF) vice president and Philippine Soft Tennis Association (PSTA) president Col. Jeff Tamayo, ASTF secretary general Tasuo Kasai, CSA rector Rev. Fr James, CSA and PSTA secretary general Dr. Joven Sepino of University of Perpetual Help graced the Indigenous Peoples’ themed opening ceremonies.