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[fatso25]

tsk tsk... grabe naman ang pulitika sa Philippine Tennis. Magkaisa at magtulungan na lang sana tayo. Sa totoo lang, kanya-kanyang panahon lang naman yan. Patapos na din naman talaga si idol Johnny. So, ipagkatiwala naman natin sa iba. Ibigay natin ngayon kay Jeson yung suporta, dasal at tulong na ipanakita natin kay Johnny before. Iisa lang ang bansa natin, iisa ang lahi natin. Magtulungan at Magkaisa sana tayo. Tama na ang pasaringan at personalan. Mag shake hands na kayo. 

[santeb]

As I said, this would have been the first time in the history of tennis Philippines when the top local  tennis player based on local tournament points would not have been invited to play DC. This is not just Johnny who will be affected, this has a far reaching implication. Again, as I said, one of the major goals of tennis players is to be a member of the DC team. Before, if you were in the top 4 of Philippine tennis, you would almost always be sure to be in, then when the Fil-fors came in, it used to be safe enough to be in the top 2. Now, you cannot even be sure to be in the team if your the no. 1 player. This takes the goal of the player outside of his hands. He can do as well as he could nationally and still not gain the distinction of being a DC player. Now, it would be imperative for a player without the means to get the support of someone who can financially support his travel abroad. This would be very demoralizing to most top players or competitive junior players who do not have the means to compete outside.
I don't get the point that this discussion is divisive. No matter who gets to play should be supported by Filipinos. Jeson will be supported by the local players for the mere fact that he is one of them. As I said, there is a camaraderie between tennis players. It's just a sad day for those who can only compete in local tennis when the day finally comes that the achievement of being a Davis Cupper is not in their hands anymore. This will be my last post on this subject. It seems it would be easier to talk about this issue with Edwin or Randy instead. 

[tommyfr]

Who is responsible for Phil Davis cup team selection?

Normally the team captain. Isnt that C Mamit?

Maybe Philta should have a say in the selection of the whole team, 5or 6 players, but the captain is resposible for the final team: first singles, second singles, doubles.

With responsibility comes accountability.

Cecil could win one or two of his singles, with Huey as an international top doubles player, big chance ther also. Who should he team up with in doubles? Probably Gonzales or Arcilla, so Cecil isnt burned out playing also doubles.

Then Gonzales or Arcilla on second doubles. I would say at least 50 % chance of Phil to win over NZ.

[tennisfan]

Tama ka Santeb, it’s a sad day for Philippine tennis, kausapin mo na lang ang mga nasa autoridad. This forum is of course will not settle the issue as some of us here including me are just an ordinary person who cared for Philippine tennis and this the only place where we can at least voice out our opinions, but whose opinions may or may not matter at all, thereby will never influence the decision and policy making of our leaders. Anyway, the more we argue with a particular issue and the more people who will participate and give their opinions are actually helping us to come up with the best ideas and options as we all have points on our opinions.

International sports especially DC is supposed to be a medium on building good relations to international communities, where winning is only a second objective, although of course, winning and moving up to the top ladder  is very important as this will put us in the map, gain recognition and a good indicator on where we are compared to the others. But is this enough to ignore our local players and their accomplishments.

If we have a policy where our captain can exercise his right to choose 1 player (as I read in previous forum), why don’t we make a policy where we have to give protection to our local players no matter how he is doing compared to our fil-for (btw Jeson is considered local). Let’s say on the selection process, automatically our no. 1 or 1 and 2 are automatically entered in the team and the rest of the team will be selected among our fil-for. I hope I am wrong but I think we can classify our fil-for who wanted to join the team on the following categories. First, those whose love for the Philippines is unquestionable and will, without conditions, represent the Philippines. Second, those who are not qualified or given opportunities in their second country and would like to get the opportunity to represent the Philippines while at the same time gained more experiences, or maybe both. But what about our local players who wanted the same thing, para bang ang pagkain ay nasa harap mo na nga ay hindi mo pa maisubo.

Where are those people now who are crying out loud and dying to promote the development of our grass root players, I guess it doesn’t matter now, as unless we can send them abroad and have enough resources to finance their training and compete long and frequent enough to mold them as world class players and eventually produce a lot of Jeson Patrombons, then they will have no chance at all to compete our fil-for, and as long as our no. 1 or 1 and 2 local/s are given protection by automatically given the slot/s, then what is there to strive for. The most coveted DC?

[SLP888]

santeb, wag ka nang magalit.Hindi kana mag post? wag naman we need your opinion and ideas here. Dasma Boy also has a point in putting Jeson in. Sinong may kasalanan dito? Philta? because they rely on Fil-ams instead of having a programs that will continually produces local heroes.

Before, we have had PHYTDA who runs the development junior programs that's why we had good junior players such as, Manny Tolentino(used to be no.1 world ranking for few weeks),Felix Barrientos,Roland So,Tony boy Del Rosario,Ringo Navarrosa,Popet Lizardo,Booby Angelo....many more. Before, There was a transition from Ampon to Jose to Dungo/Cruz to Marcial to Sison to Rafael/Battad/Suarez to Barrientos/Tolentino/So to Navarrosa/Angelo/Lizardo then wala na. Bakit?Bakit?Bakit ba?

[DASMA BOY]

SLP, hahaah...kilala ko na yang SANTEB na yan,...salamat....

[Tennis King]

Well both Patrombon and Arcilla will be included in the Davis Cup team so alls well the ends well. 

Sa New Zealand pala gaganapin yung tie (mali unang post ko) so malamang hard court to.

[SLP888]

I think they gonna play on grass court. Good Luck Philippine Team!!!!!

[Tennis King]

I think they gonna play on grass court. Good Luck Philippine Team!!!!!

Per website... hard (rebound ace) ! 

[Tennis King]

Per Davis Cup website... Treat Huey is not playing, nominated for Team Philippines are Ruben Gonzales (ATP - 958), Jeson Patrombon (ATP-1378), Cecil Mamiit and Johnny Arcilla. New Zeland nominated Micheal Venus (ATP-325), Artem Sitak (ATP-378), Jose Staham (ATP-524) and Marcus Daniel (ATP-882).... Mamiit and Gonzales will probably play singles and doubles.

[luxilionwave]

Delikado tayo.....

[SLP888]

anong dapat nating gawin Lux?

[luxilionwave]

without Sieber and Huey, mahirap talaga.. Cecil has to play the 2 single matches of his life, and Gonzales and Cecil has to win doubles...IMO

[Tennis King]

yup medyo delikado... kay Huey guaranteed na sana yung 1 point sa doubles, si Seiber naman kaya sa singles yung mga Kiwi players. Pag minalas baka ma 5-0 pa tayo. 

[smiley]

pde pa kaya humabol sa huey? natalo na cla sa doubles partnering ryan sweeting sa isang US tourney

[tennisfan]

This is the reason why we have to emphasize so much the roles and responsibilities of our local players, because if we rely too much on our fil-for and suddenly they are not available then not only will our local players not experience enough but they might not be prepared mentally because of the added pressure from just being a supporting actors most of the time to suddenly carrying the burden of responsibilities and expectations.

[Tennis King]

Match tomorrow:

Gonzales versus Staham
Mamiit versus Venus

Surprised that Staham is playing instead of Sitak... we have a good chance now, won't be surprised if we are 2-0 up tomorrow! 

[tennisfan]

Good luck Team Pilipinas!

[Tennis King]

Pinoys down 1-0 after after Gonzales lost in straight sets. Im am watching live streaming right now, Mamiit up a set and up 3-2.

Useless si Gonzales sa team competition lahat na laro sablay, mapasea games o davis cup. Mukang pang doubles lang siya... sana si Jeson o Johnny na lang pinalaro.

[Tennis King]

pde pa kaya humabol sa huey? natalo na cla sa doubles partnering ryan sweeting sa isang US tourney

First round talo agad.... dapat nag Davis Cup na lang siya yan ang napala ng inuuna ang sarili.

[Tennis King]

Cecil lost the 2nd set in the tie break... malakas magserve kalaban.

[DASMA BOY]

thanks TK for the updates
Ruben is a good player pero he needs more Davis Cup experiences. Sana humabol si Huey.You're right guys dapat si Jeson na lang ang pinaglaro.

[smiley]

.... Im am watching live streaming right now, Mamiit up a set and up 3-2.

sir!, ano link ng live streaming? thanks!

[bookem]

Cecil just won 4th set... deciding 5th set coming up!

[bookem]

Darn, Cecil lost the 5th 3-6... PHI down 0-2.

[tennisfan]

Thanks for the updates, pero sana we have to understand Treat Huey on why he is choosing ATP tournament over Davis Cup. We all knew it’s tough for a low ranked player to stay active in the ATP tour. He needs money to survive and crucial points to improve his ranking and get out from challengers and atp qualifying. It’s already July and that was yet his third chance to play in an atp main draw and the second without qualifying, of course he’s going to grab the opportunity and take his chances.

Btw, congratulations nga pala kay Treat Huey, for winning another doubles title in a challenger tourney just before Campbell’s Hall of Fame and his fourth for the year.

But look at what’s wrong with the figures on winning his 4 doubles title this year:

Meknes, Morocco; 14.02.2011; CH; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 32 ; Partner: Vagnozzi, Simone (ITA)
Prize money = Euro 950.00

Rimouski, Canada; 14.03.2011; CH; Indoor: Hard; Draw: 32 ; Partner: Pospisil, Vasek (CAN)
Prize money = $ 1,100.00

Cremona, Italy; 16.05.2011; CH; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 32 ; Partner: Raja, Purav (IND)
Prize money = Euro 950.00

Winnetka, IL, U.S.A.; 27.06.2011; CH; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 32 ; Partner: Reynolds, Bobby (USA)
Prize money = $ 1,550.00


Compared to his first round loss to an ATP 250 Tournament

Belgrade, Serbia; 25.04.2011; 250; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 28 ; Partner: Devvarman, Somdev (IND)
Prize money = Euro 965

Source: Atpworldtour.com

[Tennis King]

mukang back to group 2 tayo... nakakinis.

[Tennis King]

Thanks for the updates, pero sana we have to understand Treat Huey on why he is choosing ATP tournament over Davis Cup. We all knew it’s tough for a low ranked player to stay active in the ATP tour. He needs money to survive and crucial points to improve his ranking and get out from challengers and atp qualifying. It’s already July and that was yet his third chance to play in an atp main draw and the second without qualifying, of course he’s going to grab the opportunity and take his chances.

Btw, congratulations nga pala kay Treat Huey, for winning another doubles title in a challenger tourney just before Campbell’s Hall of Fame and his fourth for the year.

But look at what’s wrong with the figures on winning his 4 doubles title this year:

Meknes, Morocco; 14.02.2011; CH; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 32 ; Partner: Vagnozzi, Simone (ITA)
Prize money = Euro 950.00

Rimouski, Canada; 14.03.2011; CH; Indoor: Hard; Draw: 32 ; Partner: Pospisil, Vasek (CAN)
Prize money = $ 1,100.00

Cremona, Italy; 16.05.2011; CH; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 32 ; Partner: Raja, Purav (IND)
Prize money = Euro 950.00

Winnetka, IL, U.S.A.; 27.06.2011; CH; Outdoor: Hard; Draw: 32 ; Partner: Reynolds, Bobby (USA)
Prize money = $ 1,550.00


Compared to his first round loss to an ATP 250 Tournament

Belgrade, Serbia; 25.04.2011; 250; Outdoor: Clay; Draw: 28 ; Partner: Devvarman, Somdev (IND)
Prize money = Euro 965

Source: Atpworldtour.com

Still unacceptable... besides his gamble did'nt pay off.

[Tennis King]

Why is there no coach? Cecil as the playing Team Captain... mahirap para sa kanya yon, second match pa naman siya kanina. Kung ki-noach pa niya si Gonzales, I'm sure he is not the mentally fresh for his match so at a disadvantage kaagad siya. 

[SLP888]

TK, That's the problem! I've talking to cecil about it before but he said, he can manage to handle it. Maybe, if we drop to group 2 he might quit playing for Philippines.

I went to watch yesterday: JAPAN vs UZBEK - Istomin played easy match vs Ito 6-4,6-4,6-4. Nishikori vs Dustov -  6-7,6-3,6-1 ret. Dustov got injured.

Japan vs Uzbek  1-1

[smiley]

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - New Zealand have won their Davis Cup tennis tie against the Philippines after the doubles pairing of Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell won the doubles rubber to give them an unassailable 3-0 lead in Hawera today.

Sitak and Daniell won the match in straight sets, 7-6 (0), 6-3, 6-2 to secure the tie for the hosts after Rubin Statham and Michael Venus took both opening singles rubbers yesterday.

The New Zealand pairing were taken to a tiebreak in the opening set before romping home 7-0 with Cecil Mamiit double faulting to concede the set.

They then broke the Philippines combination of Mamiit and Ruben Gonzales early in the second set to lead 3-1 before the Filipinos broke break to level matters at 3-3 only for New Zealand to take the next three games and the set 6-3.

The New Zealand pairing then broke serve three times in the third set to take the set convincingly 6-2.

The result means New Zealand stay in group one of the Asia-Oceania zone and could face Australia at home next year.

The reverse singles, which is now academic, is played tomorrow.

[Tennis King]

Just as well. I hope this will be a wake up call to our tennis officials. 

[bookem]

Yikes... now PHI has to fight to stay in Group I... Home court vs (most likely) KOR or THA in October.

I'm guessing KOR will most likely win the Group II playoff in Sep then play PHI.  Tough match ulit.

[SLP888]

Bookem, It's Philippines vs Chinese Taipei on sept. loser will relegated to group II

[Tennis King]

Bookem, It's Philippines vs Chinese Taipei on sept. loser will relegated to group II

Malamang China ang makalaban natin before year end. In September, Chinese Taipei will play the losser of the Australia/China match which is still being played (Australia leading 2-1), and the losser of the September tie tie will play the Philippines in October for the second round play off.

Last chance na natin to stay in Group 1 and we need to assemble the best team, kailangan si Seiber and Huey.

We are also 4-0 down now. Jeson lost to Marcus Daniel 4-6;6-3;6-3. Cecil is now playing but drop the first set 4-6 against Artem Sitak.... dapat si Johnny (instead of Cecil) na lang naglaro tutal decided naman na yung tie. 

   

[SLP888]

loser between china and australia will remain group I next year. Taiwan vs Philippines.

[DASMA BOY]

mahirap talunin record natin SLP,hahaha

[altodds]

That's My Boy!!! Dasma Boy !!!

[Darkwing]

mahirap talunin record natin SLP,hahaha

Just remembered non-playing captain nga pala si Dasma Boy noon nila SLP.

[smiley]

highlights from today's reverse singles rubber:
Daniell vs Patrombon http://t.co/YpMDdC4
Sitak vs Mamiit http://t.co/pdBFNdF

[bookem]

SLP!!!  Genki desu ka?

I would never disagree with such a wealth of knowledge (hehehe...!)... I stand corrected.

TPE @ PHI in Sep?  Another tough match.  Lu and Yang have game.

[Tennis King]

Oo nga nalito ako sa draw... Philippines versus Taipei nga... mas malakas sa New Zealand yan.

[luxilionwave]

mahirap talunin record natin SLP,hahaha

Just remembered non-playing captain nga pala si Dasma Boy noon nila SLP.

Hindi naman kami nalalayo doon,hahahah

[tommyfr]

Why did Captain not let Johnny Arcilla play the second day singles?
If Arcilla was not injured or something, very questionnable decision in my mind.

Next round is Taiwan. Taiwan had bye in this round.

[SLP888]

Lux, akala ko may Tennis academy ka sa atin. sinong namamahala doon? dapat nandoon ka para ma umpisahan mo na. It takes ten years to get back again to group I. Mag umpisa ka ng mga batang ages 10 yrs. old ngayon after 10 yrs. 20 na sila puede na pang Davis cup. support lang ako sa iyo.

[Darkwing]

Received an email from Pres. LVL which contains a letter from Coach Tecson which he requested to share with you guys.

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER

[/color]

Distinguish Members of PTO,

May I humbly introduce myself to everyone, I am Coach Manny Tecson and I was a former National player and Captain of the Philippine Davis Cup Team. My most memorable accomplishments in tennis was when I had the privilege of coaching the Philippine Davis Cup team as their Captain back in 1991 that won the Asian Zone Group 1 defeating powerhouse Japan and China. This result catapulted the Philippines into the World Group Qualifying against World Champions Sweden. I also had the opportunity of coaching several players both foreign and local in the ITF, WTA and ATP Tours including the GrandSlams. I became the coaching Director for Kakogawa Tennis Club and the Kobe Gakuin University in Japan for 5 years after my Davis Cup stint in 1991, which produced several national and international Japanese champions. When I came back to the Philippines in 1996 I tied up with Fil-Estate Sports Foundation under Chairman Bob Sobrepena to develop the programs for the Manila Southwoods Tennis Academy as the Director for Coaching. The programs at Southwoods for the past 10 years was very successful producing so many of our top players in the country who were trained for free as scholars that represented the Philippines in Davis Cup, Federation Cup, SEA Games, ITF Juniors and many more. As a player I was dubbed a giant killer way back in the 70’s when I upset several top local and foreign players during the Phil. International Grand Prix Men’s Open earning me college scholarships in the United States.  In the doubles event Rod Rafael and I teamed-up to upset Marcelo Lara of Mexico and Macmillan of the United States who were top professional players in the world during that time plus they were the top-seeds of the tournament. Rod and I reached the semifinals of that event as young junior players and we followed this up by winning the Hong Kong International Junior Championships. I also became the top national junior player in the country for both the 18 and 16 under at age 15 and was ranked in the top 5 in the men’s at 16 years old. I grew up competing against Rod Rafael, Raymond Suarez, Mike Dungo, Nilo Natividad, Bong Battad, Danilo Pila, Edwin Olivarez, Elmer Capulong, Justininiano Ampon, Alan Zafra, Buchoy Gayon, Jovy Mamawal,Oliver Rivera, Momong Dacudao, Catjoe Tayag, Leng leng Valleramos, Monching Navalta, Edgar Rizzare, Ody Gabriel, Jun Valleramos, Johnny Jose, Alex Marcial, Julio Carluen, Mauricio Buhia, Totoy Rafon, the Deyro brothers, Cano Gayon, Romeo Baylon and many more who I respect very much as players but most importantly as good friends. As I can recall back then, Rod and I where nominated in Davis Cup due to our performance in the men’s and juniors divisions both locally and internationally, but because of our commitment to our respective Universities in the United States we could not play. Since 2008 till present, I am the Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the TAPF under Congressman Romeo Jalosjos. I am also the Head Coach in charge of the development of our scholars like Jeson Patrombon, Marc Reyes, Marinel Rudas and former players Kim Saraza, Ian Lazaro, Reggie Santiago and PJ Tierro who decided to go to college instead of pursuing a tennis career which we respected. Last year I was nominated to be the Olympic Coach for the 1st World Youth Olympics by the Philippine Olympic Committee with the endorsement of Philta due to Jeson’s excellent performance in the ITF Junior circuit that qualified him to be the representative of the country for the 1st World Youth Olympics in Singapore.

Pardon me for my lengthy introduction and I beg for your kind indulgence because recently I stumbled into your prestigious website just 2 days ago after coming back from Wimbledon with Jeson. I apologize for not knowing that such a website exist since 2008 and only through a friend that I come to know about your website just recently. He told me to visit the PTO Forums, especially on the topic of the Davis Cup against New Zealand.

May I politely inform everyone that I am not Mr. Dasma Boy and whatever opinions he may share or have in this Forum is entirely his and not mine. With all do respect to Mr. Dasma Boy and to all the members of PTO, all your opinions are very valid and valuable to the development of Philippine Tennis. I was just surprise to read that my name is being dragged in an argument regarding Johnny Arcilla and Jeson Patrombon.

I have so much respect for Johnny being a former player of mine in the 2008 Davis Cup tie against Uzbekisthan with Cecil Mamiit, Eric Taino, PJ Tierro and yours truly as Captain. During our training before the Tie I have always encouraged Johnny to work harder because I believed so much in his talent as a player and told him his game is no doubt comparable among the best 300 ATP players in the world. But it takes more than just talent these days to make it in the Professional tour or compete against high ranking ATP players in the Davis Cup. Physical training and conditioning is what’s needed to supplement Johnny’s talent for him to really reach his highest potential as a player back then.

I have coached a lot of players in my time and I am not the type who will degrade a former player of mine just for the new player to get a head start. My system of coaching is always based on respect and humility.

Jeson on the other hand is a young player on the rise and a few years ago he was just a player who had nothing to show for when he was back in Ilagan City picking up balls for a living to help his family. I thank all the people and coaches in the past who had helped Jeson reached this far and all of you will always be a part of Jeson’s success. Being his coach for the past 4 years I can say that it was not an easy road for us especially in the beginning where I have to mold him mentally, technically and physically. I can say that until now and in the coming years it will never be an easy road to reach our goals but this is what we chose to do and we are committed. I am very proud of what he has achieved in his young career in just a short time and I would like to mention a few: Ranked no. 9 in the ITF world juniors, quarterfinalist in the Australian Open, Qualified in the 1st World Youth Olympics, Finalist in singles in four Grade 1 tournaments which are the Japan Open Grade 1, Thailand Open Grade 1, Malaysian Open Grade 1 and most importantly the Mitsubishi Lancer Grade 1 in Manila where he became the first Filipino player in the boys division after 22 years to reach the finals in singles. He followed this up by earning his first 2 ATP points in India and Indonesia earning him a world ranking in the Professional Tour still as a junior and most recently he became part of the Davis Cup team against New Zealand where he played the non-bearing match but lost a tough 3 set match in his singles debut.  I have to keep pushing Jeson to work harder and to be more determined to reach his goals in his life and family through tennis. Jeson is still a work in progress and will continue to learn the game. I told him you just have to follow your dreams and be brave even if you fail. Most of my friends involved in the International Circuits who are presently coaching or managing successful Professional players in the Tour said, being a top 10 junior in the world is always a good indication that a young player has the ability and potential to turn PRO and must give it a go. This is the reason why an International Management Group has been pursuing us since the French Open and Wimbledon Championships to sign a 3 year contract with them because they see something in Jeson. They explained to us that the majority of the top men’s players came from the junior ranks before becoming established players in the Tour, while the majority of players who went to college will stop tennis entirely after college to pursue other careers or if they choose to come back in the Tour will have a difficult time making it to the top 200 rankings. This is based on their data as explained to me by these Professional Management Groups. The guys who finished college and still makes a career in tennis are just a few exceptions. I know there is no guarantee that this will translate in Jeson being a top ATP player in the future, but life itself has no guarantee. A few years ago Jeson was a ball boy in a small club back in Iligan with no bright future ahead of him. Now he is one of the best junior players in the world and is in the Professional Tour. As I remember during our beginning there where no guarantees that Jeson will be a top 10 junior player in the world or a quarterfinalist in the Aussie Open or an ATP ranked player and now a Davis Cup player, only the passion, motivation and belief in our goals propelled us to achieve these things.

You have one shot and a long shot to make your dream come true in life and that means in any career, but with the right tools, attitude, talent and opportunity you ask yourself the question should I take it or not? Should I play it safe or be bold and take a chance? For me life without risk at times is not living life. Even if you fail flat on your face as long as you pursued your ambition and dream with a lot of passion and determination at the end of the day you can look straight in your eyes and say I have done that and I have no regrets, its time for me to move on. Thank you very much to all of my fellow tennis players who are so passionately involved in helping Philippine Tennis Development. God bless you all.


Yours truly,
Coach Manny Tecson

[Tennis King]

I never suspected for a minute that Coach Manny Tecson is Mr. Dasma Boy... besides if you look at the early posts of Mr. Damsa Boy you would know that he is not Coach Tecson.

Coach Manny Tecson will never brazenly advertise his player... it is just not his style!

Kudos for Coach Tecson for setting things straight. 

[Nadale]

I never suspected for a minute that Coach Manny Tecson is Mr. Dasma Boy... besides if you look at the early posts of Mr. Damsa Boy you would know that he is not Coach Tecson.

Coach Manny Tecson will never brazenly advertise his player... it is just not his style!

Kudos for Coach Tecson for setting things straight. 

Well it would be more exciting and  ofcourse will be getting a real-time feedback if he joins PTO......

[altodds]

When I met Manny Tecson in Osaka last October, we have a long talk at that time, and even I mentioned about this PTO...

[cypher]

                wow! just read this thread, and i guess, pitting johnny and jeson together is unfair. i mean everybody has their own way of helping philippine tennis. Johnny will always be known as our own. he also participated in international tournaments and davis cup before up to the present. i know him personally and are good friends with him, and never did i doubt his skills and experience, he is still one of the longest holder of the top spot since way before, setting aside joseph victorino and pj tierro before the likes of cecil and treat and the other imports that we have. i dont want to make a fuss on what santeb and dasmaboy is saying, but we need not compare our talents, this will only create confusion and division in our tennis community indeed.

       Jeson is our upcoming player and thanks to all the coaches who helped with his development and the sponsor for his international exposure, he is very lucky to have coach manny as his coach since a lot of the local and foreign players were handled by him. even johnny i remember was training with coach before the davis cup tie vs uzbekistan, also i can say that not even once did coach manny say negative things about his player, he always compliment them around people and tell them how pinoy tennis players can make it big. he compliments them that pinoys indeed have the talent and we need not to focus on height but on speed, strategy, physical condition, and mental toughness.

      i suppose right now all we need to do is to back them up and the other upcoming players so that we can have more johnny's and jeson's in the future. i mean we cant stop there. we all should help in bringing back the bright days of philippine tennis. We have to stop dividing and telling people who's better or pit them up against each other, everybody needs each other and thats what we should aim for. no barriers, no selfishness, no politics. just plain hard work and determination on what we want, that is to make tennis a sport every filipino can excell in.

CYPHER