NU inviting Patrimonio girls to strengthen its tennis program

MANILA, Philippines—The tennis-playing daughters of PBA great Alvin Patrimonio are being lured into the tennis squad of the National University, according to a school official.

“We’re in the process of enhancing our sports program, since we’ve been tagged as whipping boys for many years,” NU athletic director Junel Baculi said in the PSA Forum on Tuesday. “We’re about to launch our tennis program, starting with the men’s team [this season].”

“Next year, we’ll start our women’s tennis program,” said Baculi. “The [Patrimonios] most likely will still serve residency, but we’ve been in talks with Alvin.”

The Patrimonio sisters have been seriously focusing on their tennis careers, getting home-schooled as they trained extensively, including a stint in Spain.

The younger Clarice already picked up two international crowns, winning the Hong Kong Open ITF Junior singles last year and the Brunei ITF girl’s singles last March.

Christine, who has been competing in the local women’s tennis circuit, bagged the women’s doubles title with her sister in the recent 2011 National Games.

The Bulldogs have been beefing up their sports program since mall magnate Henry Sy Sr. bought majority of the shares of NU.

Ray Parks, the son of seven-time Best Import Bobby Parks, has also been one of the celebrated recruits in the men’s basketball team along with former national youth team players Kyle Neypes and Cedric Labing-isa.