By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FRANCIS Casey ?Ni?o? Alcantara, the first Filipino to win a grandslam tennis title, said boxing hero Manny Pacquiao was a major inspiration in his success at the Australian Open, where the 16-year-old kid partnered with Chinese Taipei?s Cheng Peng Hsieh to win the juniors? doubles event in Melbourne.

In an interview with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, Alcantara said: ?Pacquiao was a big inspiration because Filipinos are hungry for heroes in sports, just like Pacquiao.?

Alcantara, who returns to his hometown of Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday to resume his studies at Xavier Universiry, said he was honored to be considered by supporters as ?The Manny Pacquiao of Tennis.?

The first individuals to compare the young boy to Pacquiao was Randy Villanueva of the Philippine Tennis Association, coach and former Davis Cup doubles specialist Jun Toledo and businessman-sportsman Romy Chan, who together with Jean Henri Lhuillier and Oscar Hilado, have helped sponsor his training and travels abroad.

Alcantara noted that like Pacquiao, he came from humble beginnings. They also both came from Southern Philippines, and they both had fighting hearts.

?I am like a small, tennis version of Pacquiao and I?m happy that people say this about me because I always try to do my best,? said Alcantara.

Alcantara was overjoyed that Filipinos from around the world, including places like Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, the Middle East, Europe and North America, flooded his player site in the Australian Open with congratulatory messages and encouragement.

Alcantara said that besides Pacquiao, his father, who introduced him to the sport at the age of six, was his inspiration. ?But sadly, he passed away six years ago.?

He also dedicated his grandslam victory to his late father.

Alcantara, whose Taiwanese doubles partner had previously won tournaments in China, Thailand and Malaysia, plans to continue their quest for more honors in the future.