HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The Guam Adventist Academy Angels’ Wyatt Oh defeated the Okkodo High School Bulldogs’ Bryce Manalo 8-5 in the Guam Department of Education Interscholastic Sports Association boys singles All-Island finals Friday at the University Guam in Mangilao.
For Oh, a 17-year-old junior, this is his third consecutive GDOE ISA boys singles title.
“I was feeling good,” Oh said. “My serves were going in, so I just needed to stay focused to win the games.”
With nearly 100 spectators surrounding the courts, the undefeated Oh went to work on the previously undefeated Manalo. Very quickly and with powerful and consistent groundstrokes and serves, Oh kept the reigning GDOE ISA most valuable player on his heels. In the opening game, back-to-back groundstroke winners from Oh allowed him to hold serve and take a 1-0 lead.
On Manalo’s first service game, with a crushing two-handed crosscourt backhand winner, Oh broke Manalo and took a 2-love lead.
Consolidating the break of serve, Oh fired an ace, a service winner, remained consistent from the baseline and increased his lead to 3-0.
But Oh’s unblemished streak didn’t remain intact for long. As points became longer and Manalo’s groundstroke errors decreased, the Bulldog earned his first game.
Oh, still up a break, held his next serve at love. With strong play from the baseline, points became shorter, and Oh surged to a 4-1 lead.
In order for Manalo to challenge Oh, he needed to hold serve. But after an error-filled service game, one that gave Oh a two-break lead, the Angel led 5-1.
But as the match wore on, baseline rallies became longer, and Oh’s errors increased. After a shot from Oh sailed past the baseline, Manalo earned another game.
Still, Manalo’s consistency ebbed and flowed, and Oh won a sixth game. After a backhand from the Bulldog finished in the middle of the net, Oh led 6-2 and was two games from the title.
But apparently, if the semifinals proved anything, Manalo seems to embrace adversity. In Thursday’s semifinals, Manalo trailed John F. Kennedy High School’s Nathan San Agustin love-5 but rallied to win the match 8-6.
Despite trailing by two breaks of serve, Manalo went on a three-game tear. On two separate approach shots, Oh hit volleys into the net.
“I was feeling pressure,” Oh said. “He’s a very good opponent. I didn’t underestimate him at all.”
Although Manalo pulled within one game of Oh, Oh returned to form, closed out the match and secured the three-peat.
“It’s a good accomplishment,” Oh said. “I’m very proud of myself.”
