Tabotabo wins gold, silver in Penang

Cebuano Vince Marc Tabotabo won gold and silver in the 2007 Penang Open International Age-group Tennis Championships at the Penang Sports Complex in Malaysia yesterday.

Tabotabo claimed the boys’ 10-under title by beating Koran Sim Sung Been 6-1, 6-4. The young Cebuano and his doubles partner Christian Lopez of Davao, however, lost to Been and Jrong Jin in doubles 4-6, 6-7, 2-7.

The Tuburan native will be going home with his father and coach Titus Tabotabo will be going home after two legs because they are leaving for the US on December for another international event.

In the distaff side, Krissianne Kintanar faltered in his bid to win the 10-under title, falling to a Korean netter, 1-6, 2-6. 

Over at the Universiti Sains Malaysia, three other Cebuanos advanced to the semifinal round in their respective divisions.

Niño Siso, the topseed in the boys’14-under beat Kevin Loke Ke-Wei 6-2, 6-4. Sally Mae, Niño’s little sister, silenced Lee Su ling of Singapore 6-0, 6-0.

Niño will face Kenneth Tan Wei Shen in the semifinal round and Sally Mae goes up against Rosenberger of Singapore.

Jacob Lagman also won his quarterfinal round in the boys’ 12-under division with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Muhammad Asyraf Bin Ashaf. His semifinal opponent is yet to be determined as of presstime. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol