
By Robert Balajadia
The ISA 2022 Tennis Season got under full swing Tuesday afternoon with the JFK Islanders defeating the Okkodo Bulldogs in both Singles and Doubles I matches. Highlighting the day was JFK senior Zian Benavente, who made his Singles I debut after exclusively playing doubles since sophomore year.
Benavente grabbed an 8-4 win over Okkodo’s Bryce Manalo after the pair split their first four games. After getting guidance from his coach Jon Rudolph, Benavente would settle in and win the next three games to gain a sizable lead 5-2.
“I was very nervous in the beginning, but during the switches, our coach was able to calm me down. My coach told me that I was holding back my power and he told me I needed to use my power now. Using power is where I’m comfortable, and holding back on power is good for consistency, but he said I was holding back too much,” said Benavente.
Manalo would grab game 8 and 10 to extend the game, but Benavente would close out the contest winning game 11 and 12 to secure the opening day victory. Benavente was advised to jump to Singles I after his coaches noticed he had the skills to compete.
Making another debut in the Singles I Division was JFK’s Eternity Nishiyama, who also grabbed an 8-4 victory over Okkodo’s Mia Hidalgo. Nishiyama started her match winning the first four games, but Hidalgo mounted a comeback winning three of four games in 7,9 and 10 to pull within 6-4.
“It’s my first time in Singles I so I was feeling a little pressure, but I’ve been practicing hard this year,” said Eternity on settling into the game.
Nishiyama would close out the game winning the final two games (11 and 12) to also secure her debut win.
“I tried not to hit too hard and tried to just not miss. [Mia] was a good player and we had good rallies,” said Nishiyama.
Singles & Doubles I matches
Singles Boys I
JFK: Zian Benavente – 8
OKD: Bryce Manalo – 4
Singles Girls I
JFK: Eternity Nishiyama – 8
OKD: Mia Hidalgo – 4
Doubles Boys I
JFK: Von Verango/Ethen Calaman – 8
OKD: Lord Mabalot/Thian Patague – 2
Doubles Girls I
JFK: Melanie Resalio/Rachel Cho – 8
OKD: Cristel Dela Cruz/Kona Okada – 3
JFK will travel to UOG to face GW on Thursday while the Bulldogs will host the Southern Dolphins up North on Thursday as well.
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GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
25th
MARIANAS OPEN PRO JAPAN TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

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Jiu-Jitsu
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COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
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Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.