"This is of great significance to the promotion of the friendship between the two countries," he said, adding that as a Chinese-Filipino, he hoped that the Philippines and China will always be closely linked by China's "national sports."

Cruz has been to China four times to train. Cruz's father and coach, Khenneath, told Xinhua that the training not only enhanced her daughter's playing skills and stamina but also taught her "spiritual strength."

The 16th Uni-Orient Cup finals held on last Sunday, April 7 is a concrete proof of the young Cruz's solid performance as a promising player. At searing 35 degrees celsius in Manila, Cruz, along with her schoolmate, claimed the high-school event title for three consecutive years, playing ten games in a single day in a gym with no air-conditioning.

"I feel exhausted, fortunately, I stuck to the final and won," Cruz said after the tournament.

"I think I improved a lot after my training in China, and I look forward to going to China again before or after the SEA Games," she said, adding that she wants "to attend Olympic Games one day just like Lariba."

Cruz's victory last March qualifies her to train with the national athletes who will compete in the forthcoming SEA Games. "It has not yet been finalized (when will she transfer to the training camp), maybe in May or June (it will be finalized)," the elder Cruz said, adding that her daughter will still train under his wing recently.

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