Building champions in tennis and in life

MANILA, Philippines - All over the country, there’s the interest to pick up a tennis racquet and a number of undiscovered talents ready to blossom — if only they have access to topnotch training outside of private clubs.

Fortunately, a group of concerned and capable tennis enthusiasts have formed the Milo junior tennis program to reach out to these tennis lovers and make the sport more accessible to and popular among people from all walks of life. And through the years, it has built champions not only in tennis but also life in general.

Founded in 1977 by tennis enthusiasts led by Jovy Mamawal, Bobot Nalus, Joe Pacquia, Merlo Pornobe, and Teng dela Cruz, the Milo junior tennis program has conducted free clinics all over the country, offering everyone, especially the underprivileged, access to internationally-accredited training. It has also paved the way for some talented probinsyanos to secure athletic scholarship in top colleges and universities in Manila.

According to Bobot Nalus, one of the pioneer coaches, the key to the program’s success and longevity has been their tireless efforts to touch base with the tennis-loving youngsters. “We’re the only one that goes nationwide to conduct free clinics and follow through with a corresponding tournament afterwards,” he says. To further become effective, he says the mentors themselves constantly improve their craft by attending numerous ITF coaching seminars abroad.

Coach Bobot has been teaching youngsters even before the Milo clinics, finding fulfillment in seeing his wards do well and be champions on and off the court.

A former varsity for JRC in the NCAA, he got his first big win as coach when one of his students from Tarlac, and later a colleague at the clinics, Jovy Mamawal, won the 16-under national age-group title in Manila. He counts more “titles” as the years go by, with prized pupils like Numeriano Lim, Bambi and Bien Zoleta, Joshua Tan Ho, and Kyle Cordero. Bobot’s present crop includes Mark and Maia Balce, Janna Hernandez, Samantha Coyiuto, and Rafael Esquillantini, all of whom made waves at the recent Milo Junior Tennis Cup.

More than the kids’ excellence in tennis, coach Bobot also sees the fruits off the court. “Kids who are in tennis are far more disciplined; on their own, they eat balanced foods and stay away from vices,” he says.

Mark Balce, one of the young athletes featured in the Milo pack, attests that tennis has taught him discipline, determination, and how to handle pressure — it also got him a scholarship at Ateneo. His father Boboy believes tennis is a “good preparation for life, teaching values that they can apply in life someday.”

According to Nestle AVP and Milo sports events executive Pat Goc-Ong, the long-time involvement of Milo in tennis demonstrates the company’s undying commitment to develop heroes in different sports and well-rounded individuals.