Filipina tennis legend Marissa Sanchez passes away

• Filipina tennis champion Maria Socorro “Marissa” Sanchez, a trailblazer in the sport during the 1970s, passed away at 69 years old
• Her nephew, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato, confirmed her passing in a heartfelt statement
• Sanchez rose to prominence as the country’s top female tennis player in the 1970s and made history by winning a medal at the Southeast Asian Games
• Even after retiring, she continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and sports consultant, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of Filipino athletes

Maria Socorro “Marissa” Sanchez, a trailblazing Filipina tennis champion of the 1970s, passed away at the age of 69 due to a heart-related illness, her nephew, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato, confirmed on Sunday, January 4.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Cato paid tribute to his aunt, recalling her remarkable career and contributions to Philippine tennis. “Long before Alex Eala, there was Marissa Dizon Sanchez who brought prestige and honor to the Philippines and the Filipino people as one of the top tennis sensations of her era,” he wrote.

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He noted that Sanchez, affectionately called “Auntie Marissa,” was a source of pride for the Sanchez Ayuyao clan of Angeles City and Magalang, Pampanga. “Auntie Marissa rose to fame at a time when tennis was a male-dominated sport in the Philippines. My mother’s first cousin, Auntie Marissa became the country’s No. 1 female player in 1975 after she won the National Open and the Philippine Tennis Association Open,” Cato shared.

Sanchez’s accomplishments on the international stage were equally impressive. “In 1977, she became the first Filipino to bring home a medal for tennis in the Southeast Asian Games. She was among the first Filipina tennis players to represent the Philippines in various tournaments abroad, including the Federation Cup—the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup—where she played against some of the world’s best,” Cato recalled. He added that in 1978, she led the national women’s team to a rare appearance in the main draw of the Federation Cup.

Even after retiring from professional tennis in the 1980s, Sanchez remained deeply involved in the sport. Cato highlighted her contributions as a coach and sports consultant: “Auntie Marissa continued on as a much sought-after coach in Angeles City, where she first started playing as a 12-year-old high school student at the then Holy Angel College. She also served as sports consultant of Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan from 2010 to 2019.”

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Cato concluded his tribute with a personal note, honoring her memory: “This evening, Maria Socorro ‘Marissa’ Sanchez passed away in Angeles at the age of 69. Please join us in praying for the eternal repose of her soul.”

Marissa Sanchez leaves behind a legacy that not only paved the way for the next generations of Filipino women in tennis but also underscored the Philippines’ presence in international competitions. Her life and career remain a testament to determination, passion, and breaking barriers in sports.

Aside from Marissa Sanchez, several other Filipino sports personalities have recently passed away.

Former volleyball player Cindy Imbo, known for playing as an outside hitter for Choco Mucho in the Premier Volleyball League, has died at the age of 31 following a battle with cancer. Her passing was confirmed by the Coast Guard Special Service Office.

Former PBA player, Olympian, and champion coach Jimmy Mariano has passed away at 84, the league announced on December 7. Remembered as a skilled left-handed shooter and one of the pioneering big men who could score from long range, he also led Presto to the 1990 All-Filipino Conference title, leaving a lasting legacy in Philippine basketball.

Source: KAMI.com.gh