ORANGE COUNTY, CA The presence and guidance of Southeast Asian Games Singles Gold-Medalist Cecil Mamiit was all Patrick John Tierro needed to ignite his game taking him to the last-8 of the ITF Futures $10,000 event here at the Laguna Niguel Racquet Club.

After three first round losses in as many weeks, the 6-foot-1 Tierro whose US tour is funded by sportsman Jean Henri Lhuillier of Cebuana Lhuillier, finally broke out of a slump by overpowering no.6 seed Robert Steckley of Canada 6-4 6-3 in the first round while Cecil Mammit and father Cesar together with coach Beeyong Sison watched from the sidelines.

The no.780-ATP-ranked Tierro followed up with a gutsy 6-3 1-6 7-5 second round win over Israel’s Victor Kolik to set up a quarter-final match against no.2 seed American Brian Wilson winner over Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-3 3-6 7-5. Kolik upset last week’s winner in Irvine event Dutchman Fred Hemmes 7-5 6-4 in the first round.

“Its definitely a confidence-booster for PJ to get these wins where the field is much stronger and deeper than in Asia. I hope he keeps it up.” said Mamiit who took the week off to work on Tierro’s game.

Mamiit whose highest ranking reached no.70 in the world, had a
successful month of September winning the singles and doubles titles of the ATP $50,000 Challengers event in New Orleans and a semi-final finish in Tulsa, Oklahoma which placed his ranking back up to no.180 in the ATP Tour.

“If PJ can join Cecil and Eric on tour and train more with them here in the U.S., his development will surely speed up. Cecil’s energy, experience and knowledge of the game is too good to pass-up.” said Sison a former ATP player himself also referring to Davis Cup team member Eric Taino whose career single wins include Roger Federer, Vince Spadea and Hyung Taik Lee.

“Its all about the details now which will help shape PJ’s game and both Cecil and Eric are masters in this area and my job is to make sure Tierro’s focus gets on the same page.” added Sison, who also manages the Subic Bay Tennis Center

“Now I really appreciate how good Cecil and Eric are as top 100 and 200 tour players. What they went through to get to the peak of their games and the amount of work they commit to, week-in week-out is
unbelievable.” said the fledgling Tierro.

All three players together with Johnny Arcilla are representing thePhilippines in the Asian Games in Doha in December 2006