A pillar of Cebu tennis: Beloved coach Fritz Tabura  leaves an enduring legacy

CEBU, Philippines — A pall of gloom descended on Cebu sports with the passing of renowned tennis coach Fritz Tabura after a lingering illness. He was 75.

With unbridled passion, Tabura had been a fixture in the tennis community for the last four decades.

A great motivator who has a penchant for spotting talent, Tabura is also a well known tournament organizer - from the grassroots level to major competitions such as the Milo Little Olympics, Cebu City Olympics, Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet, Palarong Pambansa, Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) and many more.

He is a constant presence in the sport that is closest to his heart.

For sportsman John Pages, Tabura was more than just a coach.

“I first met him in 1986. I was 14. He became my first tennis coach. He’d drop by the Cebu Tennis Club in Banilad to conduct lessons. Before big tournaments in Manila, I’d train with him for weeks. He didn’t just teach me how to hit a one-handed backhand - he taught me how to believe,” said Pages as he recollected his unforgettable moments with Tabura.

“I remember the Cebu All-Students Tennis Championships, a tournament he organized in Pardo. I reached the final. My opponent was a strong serve-and-volleyer, Adonis Lominoque. I lost the first set. But after adjusting my game - charging the net, being more aggressive - I won the next two. It was my first tournament trophy. And like always, Fritz was there, directing the event, smiling with pride,” the former Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) chairman continued.

Tabura was an institution.  He was at the helm of the highly successful tennis program of his beloved alma mater, the University of the Visayas (UV), for over 40 years.

Under his guidance, UV became a powerhouse in inter-school leagues, producing numerous champions and winning countless national titles that continues until today.

“You have guided and supported many tennis players, including myself, and I am truly grateful to call you my mentor. We’ve achieved success because you believed in us and gave us the chance to pursue our dreams. It was because of you that I became stronger. I gave my best, and you helped me realize that I could truly excel in this sport and I hope I’ve made you proud,” said NJ Enriquez, one of Tabura’s brightest products at UV.  “You are a true legend, and your legacy will never be forgotten. Please continue to guide and inspire tennis players but now in the next life.”

Among his shining accomplishments, Tabura helped establish the Gullas Tennis Cup, which evolved into the biggest, most prestigious and longest existing tennis event in the VisMin region before it came to a halt seven years ago.

“In 1995, the late Jose “Dodong” Gullas invited Fritz and I to start a grassroots event. Thus, the Gullas Tennis Cup was born. Every year since, we gathered the best junior players from the Visayas and Mindanao. By 2018, we reached our 23rd edition. The tournament became Group 1 (highest level) and helped shape hundreds of young athletes. Now, both Sir Dodong Gullas and Coach Fritz are gone - but their legacies live on,” said Pages.

A father figure to many of his athletes, Tabura is best remembered for his soft spot for underprivileged players, often helping them secure essentials like shoes, rackets, and even scholarships.

Coach Fritz may be gone but he will surely remain in the hearts of all those who knew him because of the lasting and meaningful legacy he left behind.

“He gave so much to tennis. To Cebu. To all of us. Rest well, Coach Fritz. Your service was a masterpiece,” Pages ended. — (FREEMAN)