Baisa captures first ITF doubles title in Namibia

MADRID, Spain — Filipino junior tennis player Brice Vincent Baisa claimed his first ITF title after winning the J60 boys’ doubles event with Portugal’s Francisco Sardinha in Windhoek, Namibia.

The pair entered with little expectation, initially struggling to find partners before deciding to team up just hours before the entry deadline. A late withdrawal then opened a main-draw spot — an opportunity they seized as underdogs, defeating the No. 4 seeds in the semifinals and the top seeds in the final, 6–4, 6–4, to capture the title.

According to his father and coach, Anthony Baisa, the partnership came together out of necessity. “Walang kumukuha sa kanila sa doubles kaya sabi ko kayo nalang dalawa mag-partner,” he said. (No one was taking them in doubles, so I told them to just partner with each other.)

Fresh from a three-month training stint at RV Tennis Academy in Barcelona last year, Baisa leaned on his serve — firing five aces and 12 unreturned serves — to close out the match in straight sets.

Baisa has been actively competing in ITF tournaments overseas, backed by strong family support as he continues to build experience on the international circuit.

Baisa’s campaign reflects the kind of international exposure that veteran tennis figure Alex D. Marcial Sr., president of Friends of Philippine Tennis, says Filipino players need. “By including a structured pathway from local training to global competition, we can ensure our players have the opportunity to test, grow, and succeed on the international stage,” he said in a Facebook post.

Baisa now heads into a series of ITF tournaments across Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and the Philippines as he continues his campaign.