Miko makes heads turn in US NCAA

MANILA, Philippines — Pennsylvania State University rookie Miko Eala heaped praises from his mentors after outlasting Northwestern’s Trice Pickens, 3-6, 6-3, 10-8, for his second career win in the US NCAA men’s tennis tournament yesterday.

The 18-year-old brother of ITF Juniors sensation and rising WTA star Alex Eala fell in the first set but showed steady resolve down the stretch for a solid follow-up to his singles debut win against Illinois’ Kweisi Kenyatte last Saturday.

“Our true freshmen are really playing well. They both competed to the very end as well as some of the other players,” said head coach Jeff Zinn.

“Great job to our freshman Miko for picking up a win over a veteran Northwestern player,” added associate coach Paul Tobin.