BANGKOK — The Philippine men’s and women’s tennis teams both failed to reach the gold medal match in the team event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games tennis tournament, falling to separate foes at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi on Friday.
The men’s team competed well against Indonesia but ultimately fell in a narrow 1-2 loss to their foes. Iggy Pantino was the lone victor for Team Philippines on Friday when he opened the men’s team tie with a hard-fought 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win over Justin Barki in the first men’s singles match.
Pantino needed to buck a second set loss and drew strength from the crowd which also featured women’s team’s Alex Eala who had just wrapped up training to cheer on her teammates. Eala is participating in the individual events of SEA Games.
“I think I just stayed tough and I thought about my teammates. I thought about, you know, para sa bayan talaga. So, I played with all my heart.” said Pantino about his win.
Things went south, though, when Alberto Lim Jr. fell in a lopsided match against Muhammad Fitriadi, 6-3, 6-0.
While things became interesting thanks to the doubles play of Niño Alcantara and Ruben Gonzales, they ultimately bowed in a grueling three-setter against the duo of Lucky Kurniawan and Christopher Rungkat in the men’s doubles, 6-1, 6(2)-7, 6-4.
Over on the women’s end, the Philippines were unable to score a win in their team tie against Thailand, going 0-3 at Centre Court. Tenielle Madis fell at the hands of Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 2-6, 0-6 in the opener.
SEA Games veteran Shaira Rivera lost to Lanlana Tararudee, 2-6, 2-6, while Steffi Aludo and Madis managed a fight before ultimately falling against Patcharin Cheapchandej and Peangtarin Plipuech.
Both the men’s and women’s squad finish the SEA Games team event with bronze. Individual events begin on Saturday, December 13, at the same venue.
