Losing can make or break the morale of a player. It can either destroy an athlete’s confidence or push him to strive more.
For Cebuano netter Marc Nicole “Makoy” Suson, looking back at a finals loss wasn’t an option. Instead, he made sure he would be able to bounce back.
And yesterday, Suson recovered in style, capturing two titles in the 11th Cebuana Lhuillier Age-Group Tennis Tournament yesterday in Iloilo City Tennis Center in La Paz, Iloilo City.
The 16-year-old Suson defeated Surigao City’s Rupert Tortal, 6-1, 2-1 (ret), to snag the 16-under boys plum before defeating Karl Baran of La Carlota, 6-4, 6-4, for the 18-boys trophy.
Suson was coming from a 7-6 (3), 6-1 finals loss to Vince EJ Tugade two weeks ago in Cebu. But Suson said he learned from that experience and moved on. And that’s the reason he made sure he didn’t commit the same mistake he did in his previous finals match against Tugade.
“I lost in the Cebu leg because I was nervous against EJ, who is really a good player,” Suson admitted.
Suson said he was more confident in Iloilo.
“I won because I was not nervous, then I was confident that I can beat my opponents because I was in great condition,” Suson said.
Not to be outdone was Carcar City’s Elizabeth Abarquez, who pocketed her second consecutive twin kill.
The 15-year-old University of the Visayas ace, who also bagged two titles in the Cebu leg, won the 16-under girls crown via 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 victory against La Carlota’s Tracy Llamas.
She snatched her second title by teaming up with Llamas to defeat the tandem of Avrielle Sacapano and Bliss Bayking, 8-6, for the 18-under girls doubles diadem.
Abarquez had a chance for a third title but she failed, losing to San Carlos City’s Bayking, 7-5, 6-3, for the 18-under girls crown.