SEA Games: PH tennis bets start out strong in singles opener

DECEMBER 1, 2019: Philippines’ Alberto Lim Jr. connects a forehand during his match against Timor Leste. INQUIRER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines was off to a strong start in the singles tennis competition of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Sunday at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Alberto Lim, Jeson Patrombon and Clarice Patrimonio all had dominant wins over their respective foes with Marian Capadocia the only Filipino to falter in the first day of the competition.

Lim crushed Timor-Leste’s Patricio Jose Ferreira 6-0, 6-0, in the opening match while Patrombon pulled out a 6-1, 6-1 win over  Laos’ Sataporn Simmalavong despite minor lapses.

Patromobon wanted to go unblemished against Simmalavong but dropping games only motivated him more during his match.

DECEMBER 1, 2019: Philippines’ Jeson Patrombom connects a backhand against Laos. INQUIRER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon

“Actually I wanted to get a 6-0, 6-0 win but he had some good hits as well, I’m okay with the result,” said Patrombon in Filipino. “But I was motivated when I lost those games because I didn’t want to let him score against me.”

Patrombon is looking to get back in the SEA Games podium after he collected two bronze medals in the 2015 Games in Singapore.

“I’m super pumped for this event because we have the home court advantage and the crowd is always supporting us,” said Patrombon. “I’m confident, I see my swings are getting better so I always feel good that I will perform well in my matches.”

In the distaff side, Patrimonio breezed through Singapore’s Lynelle En Tong Lim 6-3, 6-3.

Patrimonio, the daughter of PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio, already owns two silver medals in the SEA Games and she’s looking for her first gold in the event.

Capadocia, meanwhile, slipped against Indonesia’s Aldila Sutjiadi, the tournament’s second seed, losing 2-6, 2-6.