Jan 31 - Feb 2, 2013

an imprint of bamboo telegraph

IASAS Bulletin

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Check out: i a s a s . i s m a n i l a . o r g

Editors

Note

Another season of IASAS Tennis has come and gone, leaving a constant replay of every fearless swing, sweat-induced rally, and hard-fought victory on a loop in our minds. The The IASAS Bulletin serves to provide a recap of the tournament, but it also aims to capture each teams, and each persons, tu- multuous journey throughout the span of these three glorious days. Matches were won and lost, but at the end of the day these scores are just a number. It is the individuals self-performance that de ines the IASAS season. With this years highlights boom- ing from every article, photo, and interview, we hope you can look back knowing you played your own game, every game, and can con idently say that you left everything on the court. It has been a pleasure hosting IASAS Tennis 2013. We hope you can continue to ride the IASAS high by reading this magazine! Enjoy.

Kimberly, Gaea and Ayra

A Message from The Athletics Director:

Dear IASAS Participants, ISM has been waiting patiently for IASAS Tennis to be held in 2013. All the hard work has been done to provide a state of the art tennis facility for all the IASAS teams to enjoy. The on court play at this years matches has been outstanding and I would like to thank all the players and coaches for making IASAS Tennis 2013 one of the best ever! -Mr. Mark Pekin

 To some, Tennis is merely a hobby. But to the ISM Girls team, it is a series of battles backed by two con- secutive championships. Led by co-captains Jasmine Tan-Ho and Joy Yuen, the Bearcats defended their gold and, by extension, ISM pride. For months, they trained and it was here in Manila where they gambled their championships, vying to bring another one home. True enough, the girls continued to ride the waves of success. Junior Jasmine Tan-Ho launted her famous intimidating smashes despite her shoulder injury, wowing the crowd with various 8-3 wins. Fresh- man alternate Julianna Ching carefully calculated the opponents position to vary her plays, leaving her op- ponent out of breath. Freshman Sami Um manipulated her adversarys movements, targeting no-mans land only to surprise us with impeccable smashes. In doubles, sophomore Tisha Herold and junior Regina Rovira assumed an up-and-back strategy, alternating between deep shots and smashes. Similarly, doubles team sophomore Dee Dee Aeschliman and freshman Liana Samson exploited a combination of passing shots, volleys and lobs to control the game. Their narrow shots sliced past, defeating the JIS Dragons at an astounding 8-2. The entire team was simply unstoppable. However, for the ISM players, hosting proved both a blessing and a curse. Sami Um commented, [I like that] its at ISM and all my friends are here, supporting me. Ive been following my brother around in IASAS and its great to inally be able to play. In contrast, junior captain Joy Yuen, on her irst win, noted, So far, I feel kind of bad. I won, but it was hard to get into the game. Its a different atmosphere [because ISM is hosting]. Despite everything, the ISM girls are clearly never satis ied with simply winning; they strive for their best performance every time. What more can we say? The ISM girls are, for the lack of a better word, golden. by Erin Kawazu

Girls SM

International School Manila

 Young, determined and vivacious. According to Captain Alara Saygi, these are but some of the words used to describe the ISKL Panthers. Sporting school colors of blue and white, the girls emanated an air of conviction and tenacity that remained unfazed throughout the competition. Dont be misled by their modest, welcoming and congenial appearances, for the Panthers are never ones to back down from the chal- lenge and spirit of the IASAS Tennis competition. Against TAS, the girls demonstrated their level-headedness and physical prowess as they played to the best of their abilities. Having executed killer volleys and elegant serves, the girls were quick to return the ball and succeeded in fuelling intense rallies that were evident across all their matches. Off to a promising start, star-player Sarah DSouza won the teams irst match with an impressive score of 8-3. With the same enthusiasm and strategy, the girls put up a good ight against ISB despite the overall loss of 5-0 and showcased their true value for sportsmanship. With their heads held high the girls were of un- yielding spirit. This was apparent as Maren Adolfsen expertly bagged an additional win of 8-1 against SAS later in the day. Encouraged by Coaches Stephen Tsao and Ismael Somart, the girls revealed the close-knit bonds within their team as they continued to cheer each other on despite another unfortunate defeat of 4-1 to the JIS Dragons. Although the odds were not in their favor, ISKL Panthers continued to persevere through thick and thin. Having trained six times a week and for two and a half hours a day, the girls are convinced that their ef- forts have certainly paid off. Despite coming in sixth, the ISKL Panthers remain satis ied in saying that they had a lot of fun, an overall good experience and in the words of doubles Player Allie Jones were able to play the sport theyve been training for. by Ellice Tordesillas

Girls KL S

International School Kuala LUmpur

SAS Girls
Clad in willowy, navy blue tennis dresses, the SAS Girls exuded a commanding presence when- ever they walked onto the court. With their picture-perfect stance, feet shoulder-width apart with knees slightly bent clearly, this was one team you would not want to mess with. This fact is no surprise, considering the legacy of greatness the Eagles have consistently defended. One of the captains, Stephanie Slaven, was part of a legacy herself; having top-ranking tennis players as older siblings, she was spurred to develop her athletic prowess. Her skills were apparent in a sin- gles match against JIS, where she speedily and accurately aimed tennis balls towards strategic spots on her opponents court. Partly due to her efforts, SAS triumphed over JIS, 3-2. Their coach Tim Thompson had trained several exemplary teams for IASAS Tennis for 10 years. What he said was so special about this particular team, however, was the great balance between se- niors and underclassmen. On what sets the SAS Girls apart from other teams, captain Sonia Parekh added, Its not only the fact that were all individually strong tennis players, but as a team, were co- hesive. Unfortunately, the race for the championship was not easy. Player Zara Bahl twisted her ankle on the steps, forcing her to forfeit her matches, with alternate Nadia Kim stepping in to play. Never- theless, through this, the girls resilient attitudes helped them to overcome obstacles. [Zara] wants to go back in, even limping, Thompson said, highlighting the overwhelming perseverance that helped SAS win three out of ive matches. What really made these Eaglettes an awe-inspiring beacon was that they strongly embodied the spirit of IASAS. Player Paola Hoffer explained, I like the spirit of IASAS, when the schools come to- gether and cheer not only their own teams, but the other teams. Their degree of sportsmanship, a quality admired by all athletes, proved to all that ierceness, integrity and perseverance can be exem- pli ied in one astonishing team. by Adelle Dimitui

American School

Singapore

JI S

Girls

The Chinese may believe that the year of the dragon is soon coming to an end, but for the JIS Dragons, every year is the dragons year; their indomitable spirit, and their perseverance once again showed that they were a team to look out for in the IASAS Tennis tournament. The Dragons were led by co-captain Jean Tan, who is not only a 4-year IASAS participant but also a Fili- pino returning to her motherland. I feel like I am at home coming back to Manila, [] but I also like repre- senting my school, from my home, she explained. An admirable characteristic of the girls was their drive, even in the face of adversity, and such persever- ance was most evident in their game against TAS. Three of their games were close nail-biters, but their best plays and shots seemed to be made when they were down by a few games. In the second doubles game, they were initially down 6-1, but with an incredible spur of determination, they did not allow it to be an easy win for the TAS team. Although the desire to win is inevitable and equal amongst all teams, the JIS Girls prioritized and epito- mized the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the tournament. The team constantly took advantage of the fact that both the boys and girls matches were played in the same venue, allowing them to cheer for one an- other, showcasing the admirable Dragon spirit. Third singles player Aya Honjo further emphasized this, stating that the fact that all the players are doing their best and cheering for each other is the highlight of IASAS tennis. Their head coach Barbara Carr agrees, and said that what set her team apart from the rest was the strong bond that the girls share[d]. Ultimately, although the JIS Girls were not able to claim the coveted gold, they were able to light up the tournament with their Dragon spirit, keeping the ire of passion alive within their own team, and sparking those of others. by Seong Yoon Kim

International School

Jakarta

TAS

Girls

Bringing home bronze from the previous year, the Taipei American School Tigers are back on court, ready to swing their rackets to gold. Composed of two freshmen, four juniors and two seniors, this diverse team were not going to settle for less. As the tournament began with a match against ISKL, TAS showed exceptional determination to win, hitting underhand shots that put the audience in awe. Despite the score of 8-3 to ISKL, the girls still walked off the court optimistic, and with a renewed will to succeed. They also demonstrated effective communication, as Coach Scott Middleton called the players to the side during breaks, giving insights and feedback. Their sense of teamwork was particularly strong in the doubles game against JIS, as they sported aggressive backhand and forehand shots, earning them the lead in the game and an eventual victory of 8-6. Throughout, the girls spirit and support did not waver, and this was expressed through little yet helpful ways, such as through high- ives each time they won a point. In a successful match against ISB, Erica Chen and Annie Mao showcased astonishing smashes and overhand serves that earned them a score of 8-4. The two did not let Ericas minor injury hinder them from claiming victory, highlighting their admirable perseverance. After the match, the rest of the team immediately ran to the court, showing their undying sense of support and teamwork. When asked about what she liked about IASAS Tennis, Annie Mao commented, I like IASAS [Tennis] because we are allowed to talk to our coaches during games, because in [other] tournaments, we cant really talk to them. Erica playfully added, Were really bonded, and were really Asian, too! For the TAS Girls, IASAS is more than a Tennis tournament; it is an opportunity to create memories with the team they love. by Bernice Delos Reyes

Taipei American School

I SB Girls
At the dawn of the tournament, the ISB girls gave off an impression as a group of athletic and lithe girls with swift, graceful serves and strong backhands. Having trained two hours a day under Coaches Bruce Melhorn and Joel Lobland, their faces glowed with a determination to wina determination that bagged many victories, like the 5-0 sweep against ISKL. What made IASAS memorable were the individual matcheslike co-captain Tarini Artes singles match against TAS. Her domination of the intense rallies, unpredictable drop shots and carefully calculat- ed smashes awed the crowd, resulting in a beautiful 8-2 win. When asked afterwards what set her team apart, she replied jokingly, Were better. However it was clear that it was the fact that, and Arte af irms, were hardworking and always try to play our best. Their resilience was especially evident in Ludovica and Yukis doubles match against ISM. Though the Panthers were unable to bag a win in that match, there were aggressive volleys and brilliant serves executed on both sides. It is also admirable that this loss did nothing to crush their spirits, evidenced by their comeback 8-4 win against ISKL. Overall, the participation of the ISB Girls could be considered no less than memorable. Co-captain Nutt Salirathavibhaga contributed with her 8-0 win against ISKLthe only one of its kind amongst the Panthers. Doubles player Yukino Watanabe also played a signi icant role in this with her 8-1 win against ISM with partner Nana Inayama. Win or lose, the Panthers de initely exempli ied what IASAS Tennis is all aboutas Ludovica puts it, the best parts about the tournament had nothing to do with the results, but rather with travelling as a team and, most importantly, ighting until the end. by Aparna Mohan

International School Bangkok

Girls Consolation

ilson y: Zippy W B
Nerves ran at an all-time high in the few minutes before the girls consolations inals on Saturday afternoon. ISB and SAS, two of this years strongest forces in this years tournament, were about to battle for the bronze. SAS player Zara Bahl claimed that the team remained super ex- cited for the consolations. Lianna Adamopoulos was also in agreement with her teammate, saying, Weve beat Bangkok before, so we should come through. Though the Eagles ensured they were mentally prepared for their inal match, ISB wasnt going to go down without a ight; ready to show SAS the de inition of a comeback. I have con idence in the girls from ISB. Just because they lost once does not mean it will happen the same way, said ISB player Laurence Neale. Hannah Matsuda, yet another ISB player, made her determination clear, saying, Im nervous, but will play with all my power. The competition did not disappoint the eager spectators. Fighting with a sprained ankle was Zara Bahl, her will to win for her team out- weighing her concern for her own well-being. Unfortunately, regardless of her resolve to play through her injury, medics had to be called. ISB head coach Bruce Melhorn summarized her drive, stating, Very good ighting today. The ight for bronze ended up on a 2:2 tie, with the singles matches determining who would bring home the bronze. Grunts resonated throughout the court from the ISB girls with every serve, swing, and hit; unrelenting willpower raced through their veins as the girls chased every ball down. Both teams played a deadly game; making their opponent race to and fro in a scramble to keep up with the bullet-like returns. The ISB girls pushed the SAS players to alternating corners with steep, swift shots, which which were returned with a deadly high ball that allowed the Panthers to end the really with sharp inishes. SAS Captain Stephanie Slaven waited at the front of the court; composed and agile, prepared for a kill after a speedy serve. Despite the two faulty serves following in quick succession, she was undeterred and instead found a newfound determination. Ulti- mately, the ISB Panthers proved themselves to be too great a force to defeat; their consistent shots ending the match with a 7 2 score and a bronze medal around their necks.

Girls Finals

ilson, ly Go y: Isabel W B nd Kimber ales, a Gaea Mor

It was the Taipei American Schools strong performance throughout the entire tournament that proved that the Tigers were clearly a formidable oppos- ing team. On the other end, ISM walked onto the court as defending champions for two consecutive years. Luckily, right before the matches began, the infamous Manila heat died down, and was replaced with a cool, strong wind, foreshadow- ing what was sure to be a turbulent inals. Sami Um, an ISM freshmen, played mercilessly strong, piercing hits, an un- expected deviation from her trademark smile. Packed with short, sharp rallies and more running across the court, the exciting match proved that competitor Annie OuYang was just as persistent and unyielding. Although at times it ap- peared that Um had the upperhand, she played aggressively, and her frustration put her at a disadvantage at some points. Although OuYang was able to recognize this and combat this with her own long, whiplashing shots, Um was able to re bound with strategic placing of the ball, which ultimately led to Ums victory. Similarly, Joy Yuen, an ISM junior and third singles player, put aside her carefree facade, which was then replaced by a ierceness that greatly contrasted the former. The third singles match became quicker and more accurate for both sides as it proceeded; Yuen became more con ident, playing powerful strokes, while the opposite end maintained composure and swung with a commendable consistency. A gradual progression versus consistence in the games proved to be more effective however, as Yuen won the game 8-1. The two doubles games followed suit, with each team giving their all. At 7-2 to ISM, DeeDee Aeschliman began to become less accurate with her hits. Liana Samson and Aeschliman seemed to become more and more agitated with their performance. Both TAS girls played even, leveled shots, keeping focus, with no- table serves made by Morgan McNabb. The irst doubles match was very close, as TAS secured their irst win against ISM. With pressure riding on the shoulders of Regina Rovira and Tisha Herold, Tigers Erica Chen and Annie Mao seized this opportunity to take control of the match, staying composed and playing smart throughout. The TAS team made sure that they would not be the irst ones to commit errors, and their per- severance gave way to sudden breakthroughs that ultimately gave them the win. There was an air of tension as the irst singles, and the inal, match began, which held strong as the game progressed. The phenomenally long and consis- tent rallies set a strain on the play, as the crowds watched intently for a player to crack. Steph Yang appeared to be the dominant player in the earlier half, as she took advantage of the minor laws in Jasmine Tan-Hos plays. However, Tan-Ho was gradually able to step up her game, and soon reclaimed the upper hand. This carried on until the inal shot, ultimately winning her the long-enduring match. No doubt the persistence and vigor from both teams were relentless, but at the end of the day ISM triumphed with a score of 4-1, retaining their status as de- fending champions, and earning them, for the third year in a row, the much cov- eted gold medal.

Girls Captains
ISM: Jasmine Tan Ho & Joy Yuen Team Cheer: The boys have one for us, but its not really formal. We encourage each other in different ways. Favorite Shot: Jasmine - Backhand Down the Line, Joy - Serve Interesting Experiences: We had our team dinner right before IASAS and that really boosted our spirits. Team Philosophy/Goal: Of course, we want to win gold. Why Tennis?: Tennis incorporates technique, mental strength and stamina. It also develops our well-rounded characters. Wilson, Yonex, or Head?: Head Favorite Tennis Idol: Jasmine - Rafael Nadal, Joy - Roger Federer Team Cheer: Tigers on three: one, two, three! Favorite Shot: Forehands and backhands. Interesting Experiences: In one of our team bonding(s) no one wanted to bond, so only Steph went. Team Song: Were All in this Together from High School Musical Team Philosophy: Play the best you can and never, never give up! Why Tennis?: Steph - I like it because its outdoors, Annie - Its a family bonding [sport]. Wilson, Yonex, or Head?: Steph - Head, Annie - Yonex Favorite Tennis Idol: Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray

Meet The

TAS:

Steph Yang and Annie OuYang

ISKL: Riho Yuura and Alara Saygi

Favorite Shot: Lob and Cross Court Interesting Experiences: We had a lot of team barbecues. Team Song: I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift Team Philosophy: We hope to get a medal this year. Why Tennis?: Its a different type of sport since its individual, but you get to work as a team. Wilson, Yonex, or Head?: Wilson Favorite Tennis Idol: Riho - Kei Nishikori, Alara - Maria Sharapova Favorite

Team Cheer: We dont really do it in tennis, but in a lot of our games there are people who chantnaga naga naga, oi oi oi. Favorite Shot: Forehand Interesting Experiences: Ive had fun playing games, and bonding with my team, and meeting new people. Team Song: Were trying to change the lyrics of the song Glamorous by Fergie to match the tennis girls. Team Philosophy: We try to have fun. Why Tennis?: Because tennis is my favorite sport, and Ive been playing for a long time, and its fun. Why Wilson, Yonex, or Head?: Wilson Tennis Idol: Maria Sharapova, because I like how she plays, and shes so pretty.

JIS:

Miki Matsuyama, Aya Honjo, and Jean Tan

ISB: Tarini Arte and Pattaraporn Salirathavibhaga

Favorite Shot: A really lob-y backhand shot. Interesting Experiences: I tried purple yam-flavored ice cream. Team Song: Everybody Talks by Neon Trees. Team Philosophy: We play every day. Why Tennis?: Its the best sport ever. Favorite Tennis Idol: Novak Djokovic Embarrassing Moment: Not me personally, but a bunch of players on our team kicked their beds and in- Embarrassing Moment: jured their toes.

Team Cheer: We dont have a team cheer, but we say Eagles on 31,2,3 Eagles!. Favorite Shot: Inside-out forehand Team Song: We have a lot of team songs, but my favorite is I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift. Team Philosophy: Fight for every point. Why Tennis?: My mom played tennis, and my sister played tennis, so I guess in that way I was influ- enced into playing. Favorite Tennis Idol: Kim Clijsters Embarrassing Moment: I whiffed once I swung and missed in front of everyone, which was really em- barrassing.

SAS: Stephanie Slaven and Sonia Parekh

Girls Coaches
ISM:

Meet The

Coach Hamaguchi and Coach Saret

Challenges Over the Season: We have such a young team without seniors; so trying to find the right combination for doubles team was a challenge. Team Goal: We hope to defend our gold medal. Motivation Tactics: We talk to the girls about our goals, and what needs to be done. We tell them to keep their eyes on the prize and to stay focus. We [also] practice for long hours. Favorite Drill/Punishment: We run lines and try to play as much as possible. Why Tennis?: In Tennis we always play as a team. The single players and the double players all work to- Why gether to promote team spirit. If everyone does their job, we will become successful. Message to Players: We have worked hard this year and we are better prepared. Just keep on going!

Challenges Over the Season: It was generally a smooth season, especially since we got new courts with roofs so the weather was not a problem. The girls also worked very hard. Team Goal: To play our best and to improve as the tournament goes along. Motivation Tactics: The eight players really support each other and are positive. Theres already good team chemistry. Favorite Drill/Punishment: We do a lot of two-on-one drills, high-intensity cardio and hitting practices. Why Tennis?: At IASAS we get to play team Tennis and its great because all eight players are part of Why TAS: the team and we achieve success together. Coach Scott Middleton and Message to Players: Always be positive and keep supporting each other, no matter what the score! Coach Barbara Middleton Challenges Over the Season: The Christmas break in the middle of the season was difficult since we didnt meet for four weeks. Also, the rainy weather in Kuala Lumpur made it difficult to train. Team Goal: To improve our knowledge in Tennis and increase our rank. Motivation Tactics: The team chemistry is already outstanding. Favorite Drill/Punishment: We dont believe in punishments but for fitness we do a lot of cardio. Why Tennis?: Since I am a Physical Education teacher, I enjoy a variety of sports. Message to Players: This is your chance to improve your knowledge of Tennis and meet other special Message to Players: and interesting athletes.

ISKL: Coach Tsao and Coach Somart

Challenges Over the Season: We dont have that much competition in Jakarta, so the girls dont get a lot of chance to compete in this kind of environment. So they come here, and theyre very nervous because they dont get to play against other schools. Favorite Drill/Punishment: We like to do a lot of suicides back and forth, and also a lot of push-ups, sit-ups, all kinds of things. I like them to know that theyre also strong - they can be strong women. Why Tennis?: Tennis is one of those amazing sports where you can play it your whole life, you can play it any- Why where in the world- you dont have to speak the same language as the person on the other side of the net- and its truly a universal sport... Message to the Players: Just have a fabulous IASAS, cheer each other on no matter what team youre on, ap- plaud other peoples great performance, and believe in yourself.

JIS:

Coach Carr

ISB: Coach Lobland and Coach Melhorn

Challenges Over the Season: No challenges-- weve had a really good group of girls. Team Goal: Our team goal is to play our best, and try our hardest. Motivation tactics: None; theyre pretty self-motivated. Favorite Drill/Punishment: We dont have any particular drills or punishments, even if a few of the players want to do drills. Why Tennis?: I used to play a lot of tennis when I was younger. Message to the Players: Go team! Panthers on three! Message to the Players:

Challenges Over the Season: For us, it was weather. Singapores got one of the worst weather seasons of all time. We really only got half of our season in for practices or matches. Favorite Drill/Punishment: [laughs] Theres no such thing as punishment! Its all for the better of the in- dividual... but there were times when I wasnt too happy with them, there were some lines running But of course, doing it side-to-side, tennis steps. Why Tennis?: Its the best sport in the world. I think the cool thing about tennis is that you can, injury free, play this your whole life. Message to the Players: Continue to enjoy tennis, enjoy the time youre out therewhen youre on court, youre focused hopefully, and when you get off court, you shake hands, and you say to that person that [you] enjoyed it, and hopefully thats what its like every time you play.

SAS: Coach Thompson and Coach Arnold

Joshua tan Ho:

will always think fondly of my four memorable years as a participant for IASAS Tennis; my memories make me smile to this day. At that time, being an International Tennis Federation-ranked player and a Philippine National Tennis player, I felt that the entire school was expecting me to perform excellently, especially my coach and my teammates. Everyone anticipated my success for most of my matches as I have been exposed to both local and international tournaments, competing in South East Asian countries and in the U.S. This felt like unfamiliar pressure. It was because up until that time, throughout my whole tennis career, I had never really experienced being in a team. In truth, I always th thought of tennis as an individual sport. Alone in the court, I relied on myself to win, and conversely, blamed myself when I faced defeat. I remember that during my irst year, IASAS was hosted by ISM. Being only a freshman then, I was already selected to play as 1st singles for the team. This meant that I was to play the deciding match whenever there was a 2-2 tie in the series; moreover, if this happened, I was going to be competing with top players from each school. Fortunately, I was able to defeat all my opponents. However, as a team, we fell short of secur- ing ing a medal, placing an unsatisfying 5th. Personally, I was not too disappointed because I knew I performed very well, and I was, at that time, regarded as the best player in IASAS. How- ever, seeing my teammates, most especially the seniors, all disheartened and demoralized by our huge loss took a toll on me. This dampened whatever contentment I initially felt for myself. I wondered, Why was I not as affected as the others? We all belonged to the same team, and yet, we all felt differ- ently. I realized that this was because our sense of camarade- rie was weak. Individually, we went into each tournament fully prepared, but we lacked con idence in one another. We all made a commitment to work diligently and zealously to improve not only our technical skills, but also our team unity, and morale. It was esprit de corps that we truly lacked. When next season came, we were a changed team. We increased our team practices, and bonding activities outside of the tennis court. I remember how we all played our hardest, and supported one an- other, especially during critical moments. The esprit de corps was simply contagious. We achieved beyond our expectations. We were crowned champions of that year, and of the next two years.

An IASAS Legend

Team unity, cooperation, support, and motivation are impera- tive in and out of court. With me being in the real court of life now, I am fortunate and glad that I learned these values early on.

SUPERLATIVES
HOTTEST Boy Hottest GIrl

Laurence Neale

ISB

Alara saygi

ISKL

Boys MVP

Girls MVP

Joachim samson

ISM

Jasmine Tan Ho

ISM

Most energetic

Most serious

Justin Yap

Iskl

Lianna adamapolous

SAS

Cutest

Strongest serve

Annie Mao

TAS

Han byol yoon

Iskl

IASAS HIGHLIGHTS
numbers
12 teams
from all over Southeast Asia... With a total of

IASAS by the

"My highlight was probably seeing and supporting 1 & 2 singles play and win against SAS" -Laurence (ISB)

Our highlight was that we got all tour- nament as a pair." -Sonia and Paola (SAS)

96 players and 24 coaches 204 matches 3 days

Come tog together to play Over the course of

"The best moment was probably when our first doubles were able to win against ISKL" -Sami (ISM) "What I thought was different about IASAS than in the past year was that we had a lot of faith, even though our match- es were tough" -Christy (JIS)

1 tournament. This is IASAS.

In

"Playing the sport I love (Tennis) and trav- eling was pretty fun." -Gaby (SAS)

Boys Coaches
ISM:

Meet The

Coach Allen and Coach Ayling

Team Cheer: ISM ugh! Favorite Shot: The old shot down the line. Interesting Experiences: Everyday is interesting especially weekends away (team bonding) and send-off video. Teams It Factor: Difficult to beat and weve tried not be too complacent so everybodys hopefully on top of their game Team Philosophy: Coach Allen - Win, Coach Ayling - One point at a time Embarrassing Moment: Coach Allens dancing on sendoff video Motivation Tactics: Defending gold medals being as solid as they were last year, and wanting it as much as any other teams, and being all tournament.

Team Goal: To play well and have fun. Regardless of wins or losses, the most important thing is having the ability to walk away saying, I played my best. Win or lose, Im proud of what Ive done. Motivation Tactics: Besides yelling, I just try to encourage them to stay positive. Why Tennis?: There are aspects of the sport that make it challenging, but its also what makes it so great. Team Philosophy: Winning, but winning the right way. We want to be honorable. Favorite Drill/Punishment: Windshield wipers. That, and maybe push-ups at my pace. Message to the Players: Enjoy it. Message to the Players:

TAS:

Coach Maguire and Coach Bond

ISKL:

Coach Flynn and Coach Love

Favorite Aspect About Coaching: When you see the athletes learning and enjoying it [tennis]. Team Goal: Our goal this year is to get a medal. Motivation Tactics: Honestly, I dont have to do much to motivate them. The guys have pride in their ability, and they want to perform well for their school against the other IASAS schools. Why Tennis?: I come from a competitive background. I used to play professional, individual sports, and I found that Tennis is one of the great ones. Favorite Drill/Punishment: Down the line and cross court drills. Favorite Drill/Punishment: Message to Players: Play hard and have fun.

Challenges Over the Season: Choosing the team because we had a lot of good players Team Goal: Win. But we always try to remind ourselves that even if we dont win, play to every single point. Motivation Tactics: I try to tell them a lot of stories, like sports analogies, and try to tell them about tennis games that would happen the other night. Favorite Drill/Punishment: One of my favorite drill is taking the boys running around the campus. Message to Players: I like players who are very humble but I want players who are very competitive and Message to Players: passionate and play with heart.

JIS:

Coach Dickson, Coach Dunyatin, Coach Pyburn

ISB: Coach Ducharme and Coach Poomes

Challenges Over the Season: We had many challenges but early on, before Christmas, we didn't have a lot of matches so for us that was our biggest challenge. Team Goal: To get into that gold medal match, and I think we can control it ourselves with a good play. Motivation Tactics: We were talking to the boys and we were making sure that everybody knew that this is a team event. We want to make sure every boy is ready at his position. Favorite Drill/Punishment: When somebody forgets their uniform or comes late to practice, we line Favorite Drill/Punishment: them up with their racket at the end of the court and have their rackets through their legs and everybody serves at him, trying to hit him in the bottom (laughs). Message to Players: If you play your game and your style on the court, all good things can happen.

Favorite Drill/Punishment: A drill called Shark Bait, which is basically a variation of classic down the line and cross court drills. We also use 5 flights of stairs for training: single step, double steps, hops and double hops. We do three sets of each. Motivation Tactics: We have a Djokovic Warmup, which is best described as tennis ping pong. Each time they win a point, they earn a drink; 100+, our favorite energy drink in Singapore. Also, we allow them to ask someone from our girls tennis team out on a date whenever they do well in practice. Team Goal: To make sure we have that strong team unity- no matter how we fare in win and loss statis- tics, the ultimate goal is to really come together and to support each other, while working hard.

SAS: Coach Grimbergen and Coach Kolinson

Boys Captains
ISM: Daniel Um Team Cheer: Its kinda long but the best part about it is when Carlos [Palomino] says vamos and we all say vamos back as a response. Pre-Game Ritual: I drink Pocari Sweat and then water. You have to drink it in that order and thats a ritual. Interesting Experiences: Carlos finally talks now so I guess thats an accomplishment. Team Song: What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction Teams It Factor: I think the biggest thing we have is that everyone in the team has the potential to win every game, including our alternate, Carlos, who is pretty beast. Most Embarrassing Moment: One time I was serving and I was trying to use a forehand to serve and I Most Embarrassing Moment: nailed my coach in the forehead. Tennis Idol: Novak Djokovic. He has swag. Team Cheer: 1, 2, 3, Love. Favorite Shot: Darren - Drop shot, Dennis - Forehand up the line, Jerry - One-handed backhand Your Team In One Word: Darren and Dennis - Derp, Jerry - Stylish Teams It Factor: No matter if we win or lose, were always laughing. Pre-Game Rituals: We always go to Rohans (TAS Singles #2 Boys Player) restaurant. Team Philosophy: Darren and Dennis - Just win, baby, Jerry - Enjoy the moment Most Embarrassing Moment: Darren - I get yelled at by the coaches every day, Dennis - I missed an Most Embarrassing Moment: overhead on match point; a complete swing and miss, Jerry - When Darren cheered really loudly for an opposing teams double fault. It embarrassed me, too.

Meet The

TAS:

Darren Hou, Dennis Chang, Jerry Tsai

ISKL:

Jayden Alcock & Kenneth Lee

Favorite Shot: Jayden - Underhand serve, Kenneth - Under leg winner! Its my signature. Wilson, Yonex or Head?: Wilson Your Team in One Word: Annoying Teams It Factor: Our strong team spirit. It really brings us together. Team Song: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Team Philosophy: Keep the ball in and win. Challenges Over the Season: Having running back to school from practice. We have to run all the way Challenges Over the Season: from the tennis courts to school, then back.

Pre-Game Ritual: We put our hands together and then we just shout Dragons! Favorite Shot: Forehand Teams It Factor: Were younger. A lot of our team consists of freshman so were a young team. Team Philosophy: Happy days. Be positive. Most Embarrassing Moment: Losing to Joachim [Samson] Friday morning because I played so badly. Wilson, Yonex, or Head?: Wilson. I use Wilson. Tennis Idol: Tristan Kwik. Hes always serious.

JIS:

Brian Jacobus

ISB: Midori Fujitani and Jack Melhorn

Team Cheer: Go Panthers! (Laughs) We dont have a specific one. Favorite Shot: Midori - I like my backhand, Jack - Im going to go with my backhand too Interesting Experiences: Were a young team so we have a lot of newcomers and it was really great to see everyone improve throughout the season. Teams It Factor: We have the ability to come back. Ive seen so many comeback victories where ev- eryone thinks were losing and then we come back up. Team Philosophy: Drink a lot of water Most Embarrassing Moment: I didnt know he was the Singapore coach but I was talking to him and I told him I was rooting against Singapore when they were playing Taipei. Motivation Tactics: Jack - I try and give a beautiful speech before every match to make as many people cry as possible.

Favorite Aspect About Tennis: My favourite part is running around the court during rallies- thats the best, most exciting part of my game. Favorite Shot: Volley Your Team in One Word: Flawless Team Philosophy: Its not the man in the fight, but its the fight in the man Most Embarrassing Moment: I tripped and fell on the court today (Thursday)--and its only day one. Pre-Game Ritual: We always say our team cheer together before a game, in addition to having a pep Pre-Game Ritual: talk. Team Strength: The way we unite together as a team. Our bond is really strong because of our success this year.

SAS: Sasha Kingsley

Boys Finals
azu rin Kaw By: {E
It began with a cheer. With the roars as background music, the IASAS Tennis Boys Championships took off, letting the audience witness an intense battle be- tween the two most promising teams of the tournament: the SAS and ISM boys. They vied for the inal trophy, the SAS Eagles con idently challenging last years champion, the ISM Bearcats. The Bearcats fought ferociously to defend their gold in their own turf while the Eagles sought to dominate this years inals. Even though a lot was at stake for the ISM Boys Team, their con idence was never shaken. Indeed, the second time is always the charm; both teams bene ited from the preliminary portion of the tournament as a means to observe the strengths and weaknesses of their adversaries. ISMs captain, junior Daniel Um, on the issue of team growth, noted, Yes, de initely, [weve improved]. We started to understand the opponents tendencies, and began to capitalize on them. And I think that we were more pro icient in playing on the surface. For Singapore, the Eagles set their eyes on the ball and refused, even under the pressure of the scoreboard, to surrender without a worthy ight. In the alternate match with ISM freshman Carlos Palomino and SAS freshman Michael Chu, the game tested both players coordination and strategy. Falling behind at 1-3, Michael won back plays by forcing Carlos to respond with a drive shot instead of a drop. Carlos exploited his very narrow drive shots while Michael showed off his fast serves. Both strategically tugged at each others weaknesses and fought an extremely close match. As for doubles, Singapores Cilian Leow and James Lunsford intimidated the home front with their lightning-fast serves. Equally, ISM sophomore Matt Sicat and senior Mauro Bengzon responded with their powerful drives and smashes to win back their loss to the Cilian-James duo. After an intense game featuring SAS smashes and ISM drop shots, the Matt-Mauro team claimed their victory against their previous victors. Similarly, ISMs four-year participant Trey Flowers and junior Gino Roque encouraged each other through ist pumps while playing against SAS duo seniors Ben In de Braekt and Ayushman Lahiri. Most notably, Trey poached shots intend- ed for Gino, catching Ayushman off-guard. Despite this, Ayushman swiftly gained back advantage with a smash in no-mans land. They turned, leaped, and dove, but ultimately, the Trey-Gino combination triumphed. As for singles, ISM freshman Stefan Suarez and SAS senior Sasha Kingsley showed us a one-on-one like no other. Their battle was not simply of strength, but of balance and strategy. Both players exploited the previous shot to calculate the next. Stefans drive sliced past the net, but the ball hardly slowed; in response, Sasha traversed repeatedly in order to save the play. While they were worthy ad- versaries to one another, Stefan emerged as champion. ISM junior captain Daniel Um and SAS sophomore Hanson Cho were at each others throats all throughout their game. Daniel aimed for the corners of the other side of the court, making Hanson run from one side to the other. While Hansons swift reactions were commendable, Daniel triumphed. ISMs ISMs sophomore Joachim Samson and SAS sophomore Stefan Kingsley staged the inale; they vied for control over the game through their powerful drives. Most notably, Joachim misled Stefan by throwing in a drop shot after a series of drives, earning him a point. However, Stefan took advantage of Joachims power- ful lobs and led Joachim to hit the ball out. After a very competitive game, Joachim rose as victor, signaling to the crowd that ISM had defended its title. And so IASAS Tennis 2013 ended with a cheer, one that marked the continu- ance of success for Manilas tennis boys.

Boys Consolation

Yun y: Sera B
The magical run of the TAS Tigers was like the smell of sweet revenge on the Saturday afternoon of the IASAS Tennis Champion- ships 2013. Just one day previously, International School Bangkok had defeated Taipei American School by 3-2; however, the tables had turned during the Consolations match when TAS beat ISB, gain- ing the upper hand with the score of 3-2. The captain of International School Bangkok, Midori Fujitani, took the lead in the third singles match against the captain of the Taipei American School, Jerry Tsai, with the score 5-2. Amidst the grueling exchange of rallies between the two players, Midoris beau- tiful drop shot that barely passed over the net caught the opponent completely off-guard. We need this one, put up your best effort, shouted members of the team. With the cheers of encouragement both both from the audiences and the teams coaches, the stakes were getting higher and higher. On the opposite side of the court was the second doubles match between Yu Sumita and Ed Smutharaks from ISB against Daniel Lim and Jeffrey Wang from TAS. The dynamic teamwork and cooperation of both teams rendered it almost impos- sible to predict which team would gain victory in the match. How- ever, the agility with which the TAS boys anticipated and responded to the direction of the ball, combined with their teamwork, allowed the match to end with a well-earned victory for the TAS boys. With a tie between the ISB and TAS, the next irst singles and irst doubles matches would determine the Bronze medalists of IASAS Tennis 2013. For ISB and TAS, the Consolations match was a de ining game that decided whether they would return home with bronze medals around their necks. The TAS Tiger and irst singles player, Hsueh Pang Mao took over the court, playing against the irst singles player from ISB, Jack Melhorn, who managed to keep an even score in the beginning. However, the curved lobs and fast forehands of Hsueh Pang Mao left the opponent troubled and struggling. The leveled matches between the ISB and TAS boys were close, but the battle be- ma tween the Tigers and Panthers concluded with the victory of TAS, the winners of the bronze medal for IASAS Tennis Championships 2013. Congratulations to all the players for an amazing and hard- fought tournament full of great performances and incredible efforts!

SB I

Boys

The Bangkok Panthers entered the courts with attention-grabbing, vibrant neon green shirts. Their energetic presence was heavily felt with their victorious irst match against ISKL with the score of 4-1. This This victory proved successful in bringing up their con idence in games to come, through their continuing matches against JIS. Second singles player Mong Sukpraprut played with impressive skill, sending the JIS player running frantically around the court. Similarly, team captain Jack Melhorn, who was playing irst sin- gles, delivered effortless shots with his con ident, smooth, yet powerful swings. On the other hand, the second doubles match was much more ierce and passionate, with Vich (Ed) Smutharaks and Yu Sumita playing on court. With the help of the encouraging roars of their fellow Panthers, the ISB boys were able to bring their team victory. Perhaps the most gripping and engrossing match of the season was the third singles game against SAS, due to the fact that the stakes were raised as ISB and SAS, both second in the lead, were vying for a coveted spot in the inals. Team captain Midori Fujitani, playing third singles, displayed admirable effort throughout the match. However, despite his loss, he was able to win the hearts of the audience with his fervor for the game. Meanwhile, Mong Sukprarput refused to let the three victories of SAS discourage him from achieving a massively impressive 8-2 domination. Overall, ISB proved to be a formidable team in tennis IASAS Tennis 2013. As Midori Fujitani, stated, it [was a] time to bond [and] meet new people from different schools with the boys and girls supporting each other no matter what. This was clearly exempli ied through their sportsmanship as they cheered for the other IASAS teams throughout their matches. Altogether, the Panthers ended strong as a team, clawing their way to a de initive spot in the consolations match. by Lisa Lee

International School bangkok

TAS

Boys

Dark blue and white K-Swiss jerseys, matching caps, new rackets- the TAS Boys had all the shining armour and skills necessary to emerge victorious in this years IASAS tournament. With their overwhelming determination, the athletes were ready to pounce on their opponents in what was sure to be an exciting tournament. Co-captain Jerry Tsai kicked things off on the irst day, competing against SAS. Despite the match ending in favor of of the Eagles, Tsais swift movements during the latter stage of the match boosted his morale. Though the scoreboard may have read 1 8, it does not tell the full story of Jerrys excellent play throughout the game; his rocket serves often leaving the opponent stumbling after the ball. Remaining co-captains and 1st doubles partners Darren Hou and Dennis Chang gave the spectators a demonstration of exceptional tennis, winning by a 8 2 lead over ISKL. The pair was at their best, show- ing consistency and perseverance on the court. Their intricate play of lobs, smashes and volleys provided plenty of excitement. Darren says they hope to beat whichever team makes inals on day three. Though Tigers Daniel Lin and Jeffery lost to ISM Beacats by a narrow margin, their strokes and returns were a strong display of ine tennis. In a battle of wit and skill, sophomore Rohan Sinha capped off a good days play with a closely-con- tested 8 6 victory over the JIS Dragons. Head Coach Brandon Maguires advice motivated Rohan to keep his cool, crushing his opponent with a combination of drop shots and forehand winners. He plans to make new friends, gain experience and improve his tennis during the tournament, Maguire says. The TAS Tigers have made their mark and have shown their undeniable excellence and skill, leaving the experience with not only an unforgettable experience, but a bronze medal make their home crowd proud. by Anirban Chatterjee

Taipei American school

IS J

oys B

The most notable aspect of the Jakarta International Schools tennis team is their ease while playing and their friendliness both on and off the court. Priding themselves as being a funny team, according to Justin Kwik, a sophomore and returning IASAS player, their ability to connect with the audience also trans- lates off-court. The team, sitting together while watching and cheering their other teammates, maintain a friendly and easy-going demeanor. Though they may seem very relaxed, once on court their attitude takes a 180 turn, as they become in- tently focused and determined while still managing to keep their cool when mistakes are made. This is per- fectly exempli ied by irst doubles players junior Ryan Ng, who is also co-captain, and sophomore Jose- maria Tan, who always manage to give each other a supportive high ive and pat on the back. Unlike other teams in IASAS who are faced with the dif iculty of having a fresh team, due to the fact that most of their best players have already graduated, JIS believes that their young team is the driving force of their victories. Most of the key players are still here. Actually, most of the star players are fresh- men, says team captain Brian Jacobus, a senior. This allows them to improve their potential and grow as a team throughout their next several years. Although one disadvantage that the JIS boys face are their rela- tively short height as compared to the rest of the other teams who are taller and brawnier in comparison, this minor disadvantage is regarded lightly, which is shown from the laughter and bemused expressions on the players faces when they discuss their height. Despite proclaiming this to be their greatest disadvan- tage, the teams agile footwork and quick speed prove that the Dragons are not a team to underestimate, proving this at the end of IASAS Tennis 2013 when they placed ifth overall. by Isabel Wilson

Phewtew
Jakarta International School

SAS

Boys

Over the past few years, SAS has been the team to beat, with this year being no exception. Captain Sasha Kingsley proclaimed SAS to be number one, crushing his TAS opponent in an 8 - 4 victory; his last point a brilliant cross-court shot described by SAS girls player Paola Hoffer as a good start to the tournament. Though his brother, Stefan Kingsley, did not pl share a victorious start to the tournament due to an 8 3 loss against TAS, he says that the friendly brotherly rivalry has fuelled his passion for tennis. With a gripping 87 tie breaker, doubles partners Ayushman Lahiri and Ben In de Braekt did not disappoint the eager spectators, ending the match with a 13 11 tie break victory. Despite the pressure, both Lahiri and Braekt credit their victory to one person: Alara Saygi. We won for her, Lahiri proclaims, prompting laughter from the Kingsley brothers. Despite initial triumphs, day two of IASAS proved itself to be no easier, with all singles matches being lost. However, SAS doubles team managed to save the day, with the 2nd doubles team ending a grueling match against ISM with a tiebreak of 8 - 5. Tension ran high when Cillian Leow accidentally hit teammate James Lunsford with the ball in attempt to pull one of his infamous serves. James claims, If I had bent down, he would have hit an ace. Regardless of unexpected losses, SAS have proven themselves to be strong competitors during the tournament. While the players attribute their success to rigorous training, a contributing factor is the strong brotherhood the boys share- Coach Kolinski says, Theyre a really tight team. Hanson Cho, 3rd singles player, says, Its not about the man in the ight; its about the ight in the man and with the silver medals hanging out their necks, the Eagles have proven just how hard they ight. by Grace (Zippy) Wilson

Phewtew
Singapore American School

I SKLBoys
With their bright blue uniforms set against the Bearcats glistening tennis courts, the ISKL Boys Tennis Team can be described as nothing short of intimidating, ready to take on any challenge set ` upon them. Swift moves and sharp smashes are all part of a days work for these ferocious panthers. The tournament started with enthusiasm, with irst time IASAS participant Hang Byul Yoon and sopho- more Hisham Saadat hoping to win a medal; a clearly achievable goal as just last year, ISKL missed bronze with just a narrow 6-8 home court loss. Despite a start of a 4 1 loss against ISB, the Kuala Lumpur Panthers participated in intense rallies with great effort and perseverance, maintaining a positive outlook for the rest of the tournament. Follow- ing an intense match with ISMs Bearcats, ISKL ensured they were on top of their game, however the home team managed to take the win with a score of 5-0. The Panthers started the second day of the tournament with a game against Taipei American School, where they were met with the Tigers ierce serves. The Panthers, however, responded with equally swift returns as the rest of the team cheered from the bleachers. Nonetheless, the match ended with a inal score of 0-5 in favor of Taipei. Later that Friday, the same fate awaited the ISKL Panthers, as the Eagles of SAS took the win with a score of 5-0. On Saturday, ISKL was faced with the apprehension of their inal game; adrenaline running at an all-time high as the Jakarta Dragons showcased their strong shots. Although Jakarta ended with the ad- vantage of 5-0, their efforts were met with cheering from a team with never-ending support. While ISKL may not have achieved their goal of winning a medal, they will not come home empty handed. They would return to Kuala Lumpur with an IASAS experience that will be truly unforgettable. by Alexei Acacio

Phewtew
International School KUALA LUMPUR

oys B SM

International School Manilas Boys Tennis team remained undefeated with ive wins and zero losses, they proudly represent the Bearcats in IASAS Tennis 2013. With two 4-Year IASAS partici- pants, Mauro Bengzon and Lewis Trey Carpenter Flowers III, ISM Boys faced the opponents to defend the gold medal. They proved intimidating from the very start of the game. Their piercing serves left the opponents constantly alert and anxious, and their unending perseverance and motivation throughout the lengthy matches set the ISM Boys apart from other IASAS teams. Probably the greatest highlight of the season was winning against International School Bangkok by 5-0 according to team captain Daniel Um, as no one had lost against ISB. This impressive achievement against such a daunting opponent only goes on to prove the Bearcats competitiveness and determination to defend our gold, which truly color the ISM Boys spirit. Bearcats clapped and awed at every swing of the racket that followed the ISM Boys lobs, cheering the singles players for their unwavering focus and the doubles players for their dynamic teamwork. Anyone who has watched the ISM Boys move swiftly across the court would agree that amongst their many strengths, the agility with which they anticipate and respond to the direction of the ball, as well as the penetrating shots with which they intimidate their opponents, are the most astonishing skills of them all. Nonetheless, what truly completes the ISM Boys team is their commitment to the game; spec- tators may cool down as the rally continues on, but these boys refuse to plateau. The ISM Boys limitless energy and determination to defend our championship, combined with the roaring cheers from the Bear- cats, has not only brought home the title of lawless 5 Wins0 Losses, but has also brought the entire school together. by Sera Yun

International School Manila

IASAS
Rankings
1st - International School Manila 2nd - Singapore American School 3rd - Taipei American School 4th - International School Bangkok 5th - Jakarta International School 6th - Inte International School Kuala Lumpur

Boys

1st - International School Manila 2nd - Taipei American School 3rd - International School Bangkok 4th - Singapore American School 5th - Jakarta International School 6th - Inte International School Kuala Lumpur

Girls

Jan 31 - Feb 2, 2013

an imprint of bamboo telegraph