The battle-tested Philippine Soft Tennis squad, led by veteran and multi-titled Bien Zoleta-Manalac, is solid as a rock and mentally prepared to achieve a podium finish at the Asian Games this September at Hangzhou, China.
After a successful campaign in the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this July, Zoleta and other Pinoy soft tennis remained on track for a breakthrough in the coming quadrennial meet, winning in style in two Asian level tournaments recently — the Incheon Bank Korea Cup and the Thailand Open.
According to Zoleta, the team is headed in the right direction under the leadership of Philippine Soft Tennis Federation Chairman Emeritus Dr./Brig. Gen. Antonio Laperal Tamayo and National President Capt. Robert Joseph ‘Bobby’ Moran, through the guidance of coach Divine Escala and Michael Enriquez.
In Hangzhou, China this coming October 3 to 9, Zoleta expressed readiness for their biggest challenge and achieve her long-cherished goal of a medal at the Asian Games.
“Halos abot-kamay ko na ang Asian Games podium in 2014 (Incheon, South Korea) and 2018 (Palembang, Indonesia) pero kinapos. Nandoon na nasa-match point na, konting tumbling na lang bronze na sana, kaya on my personal note this coming Asian Games is truly the ultimate battle,” said Zoleta, who won two gold medals (singles and women’s double) in the Cambodia SEAG, during their appearance at the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. ‘Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
The 27-year-old Zoleta could not hide his emotions as she recalled the missed opportunities, failures, sacrifices, struggles and near retirement due to an ACL injury.
“I almost gave up, but I thank God and He gave me the right people who guided me to recover from the injury and continue to fight for another chance at the Asian Games. With renewed chances, I will do everything,” said the teary-eyed Zoleta in the public sports forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine and Pocari Sweat.
Escala insisted that the team that will compete in the Asian Games is strong, to be further strengthened when it is scheduled to return to Korea for two weeks of training before heading to China.
She added that Catindig’s victory in the women’s singles at the Thailand Open is proof that Pinoy soft tennis is a forced to be reckoned with.
“They proved their ability, we won 3 golds, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals in the SEA Games, with Bien defending the women’s title with partner Princess Catindig. Princess (Catindig) even beat a Korean player in the Indonesian Open last week, while the tandem of Bien and Dheo Talatayod took the bronze medal in the Korean Open,” said Escala.
“The Korean training camp as well as the support from the PSC, POC and the Psychology department of MSAS, is a great help to our players. Hopefully with this winning run we can take the winning style to the Asian Games,” said Catindig, the proud homegrown talent of Sta, Rosa, Laguna.
Aside from Zoleta and Catindig, Johnny Arcilla, Christy Sanosa, Fatima Ayesha Amirul, Noelle Nikkie Zoleta and Virvienica Bejosano are shoo-ins for the Asian Games team based on the Philippine Olympic Committee’s SEAG gold and silver criteria.
“Hopefully, the three who are in class B, including Talatayod, will be able to compete, para makumpleto naming ‘yung women’s and men’s team and we can also play in the mixed doubles,” said Escala.