The one-day Mayor’s Cup Tennis Tournament 2023 has officially concluded on the 22nd of April on Saturday evening, with a successful effort. Sixty competitors juggling for the first place in the different categories of the tournament have been awarded and recognized. Most importantly, the event is officially back on track- rebirthing with greater effort and a better swing.
The tournament adopted a bracket-style format, wherein each pair of teams vied to emerge victorious in a single set of eight games. A total of 52 pairs participated in the tournament which were divided into three (3) categories: category A, category B, and category C. The "Hazel duo" of Mrs. Iris Hazel Chong and Mrs. Hazel Tagalog topped the Beginners Category (A), while Mr. Jeffrey Loterte and Leyte Congressman Carl Cari claimed the Intermediate Category (B). And Mr. Fritz Cayunda triumphs in Category C.
The once-yearly, joyous tennis spectacular has finally made its triumphant return to the courts after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Nestled in the heart of the 99th VSU Anniversary festivities, the much-anticipated "Tennis Pasingot" Invitational Tournament where the genuine essence of the event transcends mere competition. Beyond the courts, it's a blissful reunion for avid tennis enthusiasts, who have yearned for this cherished moment of fellowship, basking in the sheer delight of reuniting with old friends and experiencing the genuine joy of the game they love.
(The event's success would not have been attainable without the backing of Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos “Boying" L. Cari and Congressman Carl Cari of the 5th District of Leyte.) The event was actualized through the initiative of Jose Carlos “Boying" L. Cari, Mayor of Baybay City and the Congressman representing the 5th District of Leyte, Carl Cari. The rekindling of this cherished annual tradition of the Tennis Meet also owes its success to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of Engr. Mario Valenzona, it had been reported that he had been the one who persevered in the efforts of repainting and renovating some parts of the Tennis Grounds of VSU. The meticulous planning and passion for the sport of these key figures have been pivotal in ensuring the event’s triumphant return.
Reflecting on a 3-year halt
With the VSU finally commencing in-person classes after the CoViD-19 outbreak that stuck all its students and constituents to work on screens, it cannot be denied that all hopes regarding the possibility of being able to hold an array of events again in a face-to-face setup will be brought to reality, especially knowing that the institution’s centennial is fast approaching. Indeed, one of the most anticipated events by the VSU community is the resurgence of the VSU Anniversary. One of which the community is excited about is the comeback of the tennis tournament, which was highlighted by the beaming Cong. Carl Cari, Baybay Tennis Club (BTC) President. In his words, “Syempre, kami na manlalaro ng tennis, pretty much excited kami na bumalik na ang anniversary and then after ng anniversary ay mga activities. Kasi mga 3 years nahinto so sa paghinto din medyo di rin nakalaro and ngayon na may tournament excited kaming lahat na maglaro and makita yung mga familiar faces, bonding, sabay kumain, so mas may impact ang pagbalik ng tournament”
(Of course, we who are tennis players, we are pretty much excited that the anniversary is back and then after the anniversary are activities. Because I stopped for about 3 years, so even after stopping, I didn't play a bit and now that there is a tournament, we are all excited to play and see the familiar faces, bonding, eating together, so does the tournament have more of an impact.)
Hurdles met in preparing for this tourney’s resurgence
In planning such a massive and entertaining tournament, it is no secret that there will be obstacles faced along the way, especially knowing that it took three years for the club to finally hit this milestone again. In the words of the BTC president, Cong. Cari, “Dati kasi noong pandemic pa, hindi nakakalaro yung mga iba, sa amin lang. Challenge lang naman is to inform others na ok na ang VSU, to encourage other people na mga yung nahinto noong pandemic, di na nakakalaro, ini-encourage namin ulit so isang paraan itong ginagawa ng VSU club ngayon na ma-encourage ulit na naglaron kasi sa paglalaro dun nabubuhay ang club.” (It used to be during the pandemic, the others couldn't play, only us. The only challenge is to inform others that VSU is ok, to encourage other people who stopped playing during the pandemic and are no longer able to play, we are encouraging them again, so this is a way that the VSU club is doing now to encourage them to play again because the club lives by playing there.) Indeed, communicating through an in-person approach has been a challenge due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and it has been a major concern for the club during the process of resurgence.
“Dati kasi noong pandemic pa, hindi nakakalaro yung mga iba, sa amin lang. Challenge lang naman is to inform others na ok na ang VSU, to encourage other people na mga yung nahinto noong pandemic, di na nakakalaro, ini-encourage namin ulit so isang paraan itong ginagawa ng VSU club ngayon na ma-encourage ulit na naglaron kasi sa paglalaro dun nabubuhay ang club.” (It used to be during the pandemic, the others couldn't play, only us. The only challenge is to inform others that VSU is ok, to encourage other people who stopped playing during the pandemic and are no longer able to play, we are encouraging them again, so this is a way that the VSU club is doing now to encourage them to play again because the club lives by playing there.) Indeed, communicating through an in-person approach has been a challenge due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and it has been a major concern for the club during the process of resurgence.
What lies beyond the comeback of the tourney?
Cong. Cari of the Fifth District of Leyte, with his partner, Mr. Jeffrey Loterte, aced the Intermediate category (Category B) of the tournament. He then added that the Baybay Tennis Club (BTC) will be hosting a bigger event in the future called the Leyte Tennis Tournament Club (LTTC). “Some of the players here are players of the LTTC," said Cong. Cari.
Tennis is too fragmented with competing organizations wrestling for control. The focus and future of tennis is the fan experience. If the sport is united, all stakeholders will benefit and grassroots tennis will flourish. Coaches are a fundamental part of player development and can assist in the transition from junior to professional. Acting like a life coach, they can help a player learn to accept defeat, failure and summon patience and perseverance. In other words, “tennis is life!”