RP tennis official hopes funds pour in for Aussie Open champ Alcantara

MANILA, Philippines – It will be pity if a rare gem like Filipino junior netter Francis Casey Alcantara will be put to waste because of funding problems. Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) development program director Randy Villanueva appealed to the private sector to support Alcantara who showed he is the future of Philippine tennis as he became the first Filipino to win a grandslam tournament. Partnering with Chinese Taipei's Cheng Pei Hsieh, the Asian tandem ruled the Australian Open boys doubles event with a 6-4, 6-2, decision over Mikhal Briyukov of Russia and Japan’s Yasutaka Uchiyama in the finals disputed Saturday at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Australia. “Nino (as Alcantara is fondly called) showed he has the talent and heart when he scored the historic win. He has the credentials to become a world class player and I just hope, the private sector will see this and help in further developing his skills," said Villanueva. Only 17-years old, Alcantara has the making of another Felix Barrientos, considered the best tennis players the country produced in the late 80s. The Cagayan de Oro native is ranked number 20th in the world by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). His Australian Open victory also surpassed Barrientos’ quarterfinals showing in the 1985 Wimbledon when he was named the world’s top junior player. Barrientos became the toast of Philippine tennis in the 90s and has led the country in the World Group in the 1991 Davis Cup. The country played Sweden in the Group Tie at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium losing 0-5 to their visiting opponents. “It would be a pity if we could not take care of Alcantara because of funding problems. If corporations specially those supporting basketball in the country can give support amounting to the salary of a bench warmer for Nino, that will be a big help for his development," added Villanueva. Villanueva, a former National team member, also challenged Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officials who have long been hoping to find talented young players from the grassroots program. "We have been talking about grassroots development and Casey is a good example of a homegrown talent who harnessed his skills while playing in local tournaments. If all of us including sports officials, can't support him, then we must blame ourselves if Casey would not be able to reach his full potentials," Villanueva said. Alcantara arrived Sunday afternoon and as part of his incentive for his historic feat, Philta is expected to see him as one of the four players in the RP Davis Cup team that will meet Hong Kong from March 6 to 8 in the Asia Oceania Zone Group II tie. – GMANews.TV