Philippine tennis bets Tennielle Madis and Stefi Aludo are thrilled to suit up for the University of Hawaii in an attempt to enhance their skills by way of the competitive play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1.
Aludo and Madis are regarded as the best women’s doubles players in the country and their partnership produced a bronze medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games last December in Thailand.
“Our coach and the coach in Hawaii are best friends and they saw our achievements, so that’s when the recruiting started. Studying abroad has always been our plan,” said the 17-year-old Aludo.
“I was offered a spot but I am just sorting out my papers. I will continue to join the ITF juniors circuit. I have scheduled tournaments in China and in Qatar up next.”
Aludo and Madis will be the latest Filipino athletes studying and competing in the United States along with golfer Rhianne Malixi, who is attending Duke University, and fencer Samantha Catantan at Penn State and basketball prodigy Kieffer Alas for Utah Prep Academy.
Olympian Jasmine Alkhaldi is a prominent Filipino athlete who attended the University of Hawaii.
As for Madis, she is honored to be allowed to play in Division 1 and maybe compete in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour if the opportunity is there.
Both competed in the Philippine Women’s Open last January but suffered early exits as Madis lost to world No. 212 Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand, 4-6, 0-6, in the Round of 32 while Aludo fell to Sakura Hosogi, 1-6, 2-6, in the qualifying round.
“I am honored for this opportunity. It’s a dream come true. I am so excited to represent the Philippines and continue growing as a student-athlete,” Madis said.
“If there is an opportunity to enter the WTA, I will play.”