Otico nails 1st ITF junior title in Vietnam
UP-AND-COMING Filipino netter Bryan Otico captured his first ever ITF junior title by stunning his top-seeded opponent from Hong Kong recently.
The 16-year-old Otico, a protege of the Philippine Tennis Academy, stopped Jack Wong, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, in the final of the Grade 5 event held in Ho Chi Minh City.
The win is expected to boost the world ranking of the Maramag, Bukidnon native who is currently ranked 647th.
“He is one of the most promising players in the country and now he’s gained more confidence which will come a long way,” said PTA head mentor former Philippine Davis Cupper Jun Toledo.
Otico started his drive by blasting India’s Sanil Jagtiani, 6-4, 6-1, before drubbing India’s Rishi Reddy, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the second round.
In the quarterfinals, Otico recovered from a 2-5 deficit in the first set to turn back Suphawit Sae-Oui of Thailand, 7-5, 6-2. He made the finals with a masterful 6-1, 6-0 upset of fourth seed Hao Shen Koay of Malaysia.
Otico will next compete in Danang in the second phase of the Vietnam ITFs.
Otico is a PTA scholar at De La Salle-Zobel’s Bro. Rafe Night School Program along with fellow PTA players Khim Iglupas, Iggy Pantino and Shaira Rivera. Marc Anthony Reyes
