New Philta chief to push for unity

MANILA, Philippines - The newly elected president of the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) yesterday called for unity among the stakeholders and vowed to exert all his efforts to “keep Philippine tennis on its feet.”

Atty. Antonio Cablitas, making a comeback after serving as PHILTA vice president in the 1980s, earned a three-year term during the elections held at the PHILTA office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“The meeting was in accordance with the Philta by-laws. The numbers were there even though some were absent,” he told reporters after the elections attended by seven of the 12 members of the board of trustees.

The 68-year-old Cablitas has close ties with President Duterte, who appointed the former as Presidential Adviser on Investments. They were classmates at the San Beda College of Law.

Others who were present yesterday were former Philta presidents Dr. Pablo Olivarez, Salvador Andrada and Manuel Misa, Romeo Magat, Edna Olivarez-Nguyen and Martin Misa.

The younger Misa, who now serves as coach of the Philippine Davis Cup team, was elected vice president; Olivarez-Nguyen as treasurer; and Magat as secretary-general.

Those who were absent were Jean Henry Lhuillier, the tennis godfather who had previously signified his intention to run as president, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Julito Villanueva, Randy Villanueva and Gerard Maronilla.

Notably absent was a representative from the Philippine Olympic Committee, which said the other day that it will not recognize the results of the elections because there are certain requirements that have to be met.

Until the requirements are met, the POC said it will continue to recognize Olivarez, the mayor, as PHILTA president.