Esposo, Lagunday rule Erne Jawad tablenetfest

CEBU – Two returning national players reigned supreme in the 17th Erne Jawad Cup Table Tennis Championships yesterday at the Elizabeth Mall Activity Center.

After two failed attempts, Julius Esposo finally got the men’s title, while Bacolod’s Marrell Lagunday lorded it over in the women’s division.

Esposo defeated Mark Jimenez in the final, 11-7,11-7, 11-9, while LOPTTA’s Marrell Lagunday met little resistance in disposing Marrisa Flores,11-7, 11-5, 12-10.

Dannel Jay Tormis, on the other hand, claimed two titles in the event organized by Jessica Jawad Honoridez via the boys 17 and 12-under categories.

Tormis bested Carlos Bernados of Bacolod-LOPTTA to rule the 17-under and then whipped Edmund Garganian, 13-11, 12-10, 11-6 to walk away with the 12-under crown.

Jean Phillippe Honoridez finished third in the 12-under after edging out John Paul Gubaton, 11-9,11-9, 9-11, 14-12.

Dannel Jay’s older sister, Elona Dane, topped the girls’ 17-under.

 In the girls 12-under, Bacolod’s Beverly Paulma and Shaniela Pineda posted a one-two finish.

In the equally-exiting hard bat action, Jboy Batayola survived a thrilling three-set final match against Al Povadora, 19-21,21-8, 23-21.

It was a sweet redemption for Batayola after he and partner Harold Logronio of Nina Farms lost to Team Caled composed of Caloy Ortega and Edgar Mabatid in the doubles competition. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)