Tormis tops Erne Jawad table tennis

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time in 18 years, a 13-year-old player ruled the premiere men’s open division of the Erne Jawad Memorial Table Tennis Cup over the weekend at the Elizabeth Mall Activity Center.

Dannel Jay Tormis of the University of Cebu performed beyond expectations as he outwitted veteran and older players. He capped his outstanding campaign with a thrilling 7-11, 11-3, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 victory over Glen Rodriguez of the University of the Visayas to clinch the championship.

Before going up against Rodriguez, Tormis played like it was the final game of the day as he tamed one of Cebu’s former top player and now a well-known coach Raffy San Juan in come-from-behind fashion. Rodriguez, for his part, had to get rid of former Jawad Cup champion Michael Motel to set up a final duel with Tormis.

Aside from making history, Tormis basked in the glow of a double victory to brag in perhaps the country’s longest existing table tennis tournament as he topped the 17-under category at the expense of Val Stephen Jaca, 17-15,10-12,11-7, 7-11, 11-7.

In the boys 12 bracket, Jerome Impuesto of UC outgunned his teammate Jann Mari Nayre, 11-6, 13-15, 11-6, 11-5 to claim the top honors, while Paul Locaylocay settled for third.

Like Tormis, Angelie Motel also scored a twinkill. She dominated the girls 15-under after edging out Ormoc’s Mabeth Compedio, 9-11, 3-11,11-8,11-9,11-6, and then topped the 17-under after trouncing UC’s Girly Apas, 11-6,11-8,11-8. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol   (FREEMAN NEWS)