Nayre advances in Honoridez tablenetfest

CEBU, Philippines - Glendo Nayre of the University of Cebu made short work of Joseph Ling 11-8, 11-8, 11-3 to move into the third round of the 18th Erne Jawad Memorial Table Tennis Championships at Elizabeth Mall yesterday.

Nayre, who enjoyed a first round bye, in the premiere men’s open division, bundles out Ling after the latter opted to play back-to-back games instead of taking a break. Ling told organizers he has to finish his matches because he has to report for work.

Earlier, Ling masterfully defeated Jerome Yap 11-5, 11-7, 11-6, but couldn’t repulse Nayre in their second round match.

Multi-titled Michael Motel, on the other hand, seems unperturbed with his recent decision to bolt out of the University of Cebu together with his siblings, by winning his first round assignment.

Other players who moved up to the second round in the men’s open were Roy Santiago, Jason Rodriguez, Jonathan Jacalan, Jayco Navarro, Jovanni Tomongha, Aldris Villerba, Darbet Tripoli, Edward Godinez, Jed Gica, Daniel Celestino, Glenn Rodriguez, Butch Soriano, and Val Stephen Jaca.

In the distaff side, Jennifer Jacalan (recent RP team recruit) led five others to the second round of the women’s bracket. Joining Jacalan are Girly Apas, Candy Babalcon, Elona Dane Tormis and Hannah Arroyo.

Jacalan won by default over Joan Tugonon, Tormis beat Glacy Suico 13-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7; Apas defeated Maricris Picson, 11-3, 11-5, 11-9; Babalcon dumped Lyzel Bayang, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10; while Arroyo silenced Diane Ramos 11-9, 11-4, 11-8.

Daniel Jay Tormis won his first round assignment to join a big bunch of players moving into the next round in the boys 17 category. The first round winners include Lemuel Agbon, Julius Capangpangan, Lex Bernado, Ruselle Tripoli, James Impuesto, Joven Aroon, Javin Nayre, Paul Baay, Nathaniel Motel, Stephen Jaca, Carlos Tormis, Jerome Impuesto, Fritz Lopez and Jean Phillippe Honoridez.

Honoridez was set down in his match with Soy-Soy Soriano but came back strong to win in five sets 5-11, 11-3, 11-13, 11-7, 12-10.

The young Honoridez is a nephew of Erne Honoridez – considered as one of the finest table netters in Cebu. On August 2, 1991, Honoridez was stabbed, by still unidentified assailant, while walking along the City Central School. Bystanders rushed him to the Cebu City Medical Center but he died before reaching the hospital.

The annual tournament is a tribute to Honoridez and is patronized by the best table tennis players in the country. —Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)