BEACH TENNIS. A group photo of the Beach Tennis Love Boracay mixed doubles finalists after the match on April 30, 2023. (From left) champions Davis Alano, Maggie Tirol and runners-up Remond Ordas and Trisha Tirol-Ang. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – National coach Davis Alano and businesswoman Maggie Tirol of Boracay were crowned mixed doubles champion at the Beach Tennis Love Boracay tournament held in front of the White House Resort on Sunday.
Alano and Tirol outclassed Remond Ordas and Trisha Tirol-Ang of Boracay, 6-2, 6-2, to claim victory in the tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) headed by Parañaque Mayor Eric Olivarez.
Alano and Tirol made it to the final round after posting a 7-5, 6-1 win over Marcel Valdez and Hazel Gomez of Boracay.
Ordas and Ang, on the other hand, won their semifinal match over Theo Bernales Dy and Cherilyn Navarrete of Boracay, 6-4, 6-3.
"It was a good experience for me especially playing with my partner, Maggie who also won last month. I am so happy and I enjoyed my first time ever Boracay experience," said Alano, also coach of San Beda College.
"It's very exciting yet intense game. Everyone stepped up and gave their best. We are happy to join the beach tennis," commented Tirol, who teamed up with German Thomas Muller to win the mixed doubles title of the Racquet Sports Club PH's anniversary Open tournament last month.
In the Masters category, Valdez and Robby Navarrete pocketed the men's doubles title over Ordas and Rico Manahan, 6-2, 7-5.
"We had so much fun while beating the heat. My partner and I gave our best despite the heat and back-to-back games. We’re happy to be part of this momentous event," Navarrete said.
Navarrete and Valdez pulled off a 6-4, 7-6 victory over Dy and Rolly Gomez to arrange a title duel with Ordas and Manahan, who prevailed over Alano and Kevin Mamawal, 6-4, 7-5, in the other semifinal match.
The Boracay Racquet Sports Club PH organized the biggest and grandest sports competition on the island.
Beach tennis, a popular racquet sport played worldwide, is a regular sports event at the Beach Games, which is the environment activity of the International Olympic Committee.
With the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Filipino beach tennis players are hoping to qualify for the 3rd World Beach Games scheduled from Aug. 5-12 in Bali, Indonesia.
Other sports included in Bali 2023 are aquathlon, beach handball, beach soccer, beach volleyball 4x4, beach waterpolo, beach wrestling, individual Kata, open water swimming 5km, 3x3 basketball, air badminton, surfing, beach sprint rowing, and wingfoil racing. (PNA)
