SEA Games: Philippine tennis teams off to strong start, barge into semis

Philippine Tennis Team in Hanoi SEA Games. Photo from Jeson Patrombon Facebook

HANOI — The Philippines took off to a flying start in tennis with men’s and women’s teams blasting their way to the semifinals in the Southeast Asian Games team competitions at Hanaka Sports and Service Center on Friday.

The national squads will battle the Thailand teams in both sides for the right to make the final round on Saturday. Finals will be played on Sunday.

National team mainstays and doubles defending champion Jeson Patrombon and Francis Casey Alcantara defeated their respective singles foes from Laos to secure a 2-0 win for the men’s team.

Then later in the day, Marian Capadocia and debuting teenaged hotshot Alex Eala finished their singles assignments to register a 2-0 victory over Malaysia.

“This is a great start for us, hopefully we hurdle the Thais who also have tough teams,” said national head coach Chris Cuarto.

Tournament format calls for two singles and one doubles matches for each of the match-ups.

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