By Rhenjie Marie E. Calantas, BA Comm- 4 OJT

Two Centralian tennis players (in yellow shirts) competed for the championship title during the PPS- PEPP National Age Group Tennis Tournament.

Two Centralian tennis players contended against one another for the championship in the recently concluded PPS- PEPP National Age Group Tennis Tournament held at Lapaz, Iloilo City Tennis Court on April 1-5, 2022.

Nikhel Nowlakha beat his fellow Centralian teammate John Benedict Santiago and seized the momentum during the game, resulting into a championship.

In the first set of the match, Santiago took the lead by unleashing his ground strokes towards his opponent giving the score of 4-1, finishing the set. Lots of action were showed on the second set as Nowlakha seized the momentum with his blazing service and volley, ending the set with a score of, 4-2.

Nowlahka protected the lead as the third and final set started. This set was called “Super Tiebreaker” in tennis, in which the players will be playing for 10 points. For him to be considered as the winner of the set, he must have a 2-point lead. Starting the last and final set, Nowlakha released his strong service towards Santiago giving the score of, 9-6 in the middle of the final set.

More actions continued as the match was about to end when Santiago bridged the gap with a score of 9-all. Santiago protected the lead as he scored the following point resulting to a score of 9-10. Nowlakha once again seized the momentum by his power and agility, bridging the gap and protected his lead ending the super tiebreak with the score of 12-10.

When asked about what he realized after the game, John Benedict Santiago said, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. Sometimes we must lose in order to improve. You just have to keep on trying and waiting for it to arrive. Because no matter what occurs, no matter how long the result is unexpected, you will always be able to learn and grow from each and every experience you have.”

Nowlakha and Santiago are both Grade 11 students of Central Philippine University. They started playing tennis when they were Grade 4 and Grade 7, respectively.

“Both of them are good players. Their level is the same since they are practicing and trained at the same time. I am always telling them that they must keep on practicing, continue the hard work because talents and skills are useless without hard work,” said Mr. Alquin Flores, CPU Golden Lions Tennis team coach, in an interview.

Moreover, Nowlakha and Santiago, are currently in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. They are preparing and practicing for next tennis tournament to be held at Panaad Park and Stadium.