The Philippine women's soft tennis team. Facebook/Soft Tennis Pilipinas
NAGOYA – The Philippines is already assured of a medal ahead of the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games on Saturday in Nagoya, Japan.
The Philippine women's soft tennis team secured a spot in the semifinals and a breakthrough medal, after winning its two matches in the group stage.
The Nationals first blanked Mongolia, 3-0, and followed it up with a 2-1 victory over Thailand to earn one of two semifinal berths in Group B.
The Philippines went on to absorb a 3-0 loss to Chinese Taipei to end the group stage in second place.
The Philippine women's soft tennis team is composed of Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Bien Zoleta and Princess Catindig, as well as Shyryn Salazar and Hilary Paas.
Zoleta is grateful to be part of the team that won the first-ever Asian Games medal in the sport.
"Masayang masaya kasi for soft tennis this is a very historic win since this is our first ever medal for soft tennis in Asian Games," Zoleta said in an interview with POC Media.
"Hindi naman sa nag-eexpect but we are hoping. Our high hopes naman nandun na makapag-medal. Ever since nag-paparticipate kami sa Asian Games, alam namin makakatawid kami. Four straight times nakakarating kaming quarterfinals so ngayon nakatawid na," she added.
Zoleta said their intensive training camps abroad helped them prepare for the Asiad.
"Buti na nga lang nagka-training kami abroad. Kasi sa Pilipinas pag balik namin, two weeks hindi kami nakapag-training kasi ulan ng ulan. So naging diskarte namin, yung alternative, nag-focus kami sa strength and conditioning," she said.
"Pag dating namin ng Asian Games, umuulan din. So di rin kami nakapagtraining sa court namin," Zoleta shared.
For Zoleta, who has long been a member of the national soft tennis team, finally getting a medal is not just a dream come true but hope for future players.
"Talagang inasam ko siya. Kasi ang Southeast Asian Games nalang ang kulang sa major events ko... More than my personal achievement, it's to inspire the next generation. Gusto ko siyempre may susunod sa amin," she said.
The Philippines will take on Group A top seed the undefeated Japan in the semifinals on September 20 at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.
"I believe in our team. So yun pinaghandaan naman namin. Walang imposible," Zoleta said.