MARISSA Sanchez, who was the country’s top women’s tennis player for more than a decade, died on Jan. 5. Her death was announced on Facebook by a friend. Cause of death was heart failure, according to a relative.
She was 69.
Sanchez was a hard-hitting right-hander who ruled local tennis imperiously, both in singles and doubles, with her regular partner, Gladys Imperial.
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Sanchez’s career pinnacle was winning the silver medal in the 1977 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur where she lost in the finals to Indonesia’s Yolanda Sumarno.
She also played twice in the Federation Cup, the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup, where she won two matches. Her last Federation Cup appearance was in 1981 and soon after, she retired.
Sanchez dominated local tennis in the 1970s and became number one in 1975 after winning the National Open and the Philta Open.
After retiring, Sanchez moved to her home province of Pampanga where she held tennis camps and coached local youngsters in Angeles City where she learned the game at age 12.
Tributes pour in for Sanchez
“You were more than a coach; you were a dear friend, a mentor, a guide and an inspiration to us and our kids - Coleen Alano
“You taught me to play with my heart and never settle. I am who I am on the court because of you - Labelle SD
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