Philippine Women's Soft Tennis team relishes Asian Games bronze, wins new fans in Japan

NAGOYA, JAPAN — They may not have beaten Japan for a shot at the Asian Games gold, but the Philippine women’s soft tennis team walked away from the court with something they did not expect — a new group of Japanese fans.

Soft tennis may not be as familiar to many Filipinos as other racket sports, but in Japan, where the sport originated, it has a strong following.

That was evident at the Higashiyama Koen Tennis Center in Nagoya, where long lines of spectators formed and the stands filled with Japanese fans for the women’s team semifinals of the 20th Asian Games.

On the court were the Philippines and defending Asian Games champion Japan.

For the Filipinas, simply reaching this stage was already historic. It was the first time the Philippine women’s soft tennis team had reached the medal round of the Asian Games.

The Philippine squad is composed of Hilary Paas, Princes Catindig, Bien Zoleta, Christy Sañosa, and Shyryn Salazar.

Against the powerhouse Japanese team and in front of a largely home crowd, the Filipinas fought through every point and gave everything they had.

Japan eventually prevailed, 2-0, ending the Philippines’ bid to advance to the final.

But the defeat still delivered history.

The Philippine women’s team secured the bronze medal — Team Philippines’ first medal at the 20th Asian Games.

Despite the disappointment of falling short of the final, the Filipinas gathered in a huddle after the match, chanting together and celebrating what they had accomplished.

“We just showed that we are Filipinos. We are Filipinos — always smiling, happy whatever is happening,” team member Princes Catindig said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Team captain Bien Zoleta said the medal showed that the Philippines could compete among Asia’s best in a sport dominated by some of the continent’s strongest teams.

“More than the defeat, we are very grateful; we are very thankful that we had this moment to show the Philippines in the top four,” Zoleta said in a mix of Filipino and English.

“We are showing that the Philippines has an opportunity in soft tennis, so I’m happy with that.”

Then came another moment the team did not expect.

Japanese fans applauded the Filipinas after the match. Several young students approached the Philippine players, asking them to sign autographs.

The children proudly showed off the signatures they had collected from the Filipinas.

“I love the Philippines,” one of the young Japanese fans said.

For the Philippine players, receiving that kind of support in the very country where soft tennis has such a large following made the moment even more meaningful.

“Japan has a really big soft tennis community. It is like you are in the Philippines, and their support is overwhelming,” Paas said in a mix of Filipino and English.

For Zoleta, a four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, the bronze was her first Asian Games medal.

She said an Asian Games medal was once only a dream. What made this one more special was that she did not achieve it alone.

“This is a team event, not just individual. They are a part of my Asian Games story. I am proud because I am not alone," Zoleta said.

More than 400 Filipino athletes are competing in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, with Team Philippines’ participation supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The Asian Games is Asia’s largest multi-sport competition, bringing together the continent’s top athletes across dozens of events.

—JKC, GMA News