CEBU, Philippines - The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters crown paddlers will face a tall order when they compete in the Table Tennis National Open and Inter-Scholastic Table Tennis Championship on April 1to 4 at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman Gymnasium in Quezon City.
UC coach Jessica Jawad-Honoridez said that this event is part of the team’s preparation for the coming National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) and Palarong Pambansa.
“Our purpose is for the exposure of the players for these two big and prestigious sporting events. We wanted to help the Cebu team in maintaining the overall crown for PRISAA and to improve our ranking in the Palarong Pambansa,” said Honoridez.
The men’s team is spearheaded by reigning Palarong Pambansa singles champion and SAC Awardee Dannel Jay Tormis along with John Paul Christopher Ba-ay, Val Stephen Jaca, Lemuel Agbon and Francis Acaso. They are set to defend the men’s team event title.
The women’s bracket will be paced by PRISAA women’s singles champ Elona Dane Tormis along with Jennifer Jacalan, Jerny Kaye Pepito, Jera May Saromines and Diana Oliverio.
The Cebu bets will be competing in the open, college and high school singles and doubles categories in both divisions.
The men and women’s team will surely face tough opposition against the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champions, University of Sto. Tomas and host University of the Philippines, respectively.
Meanwhile, there will also be a “liha” category for the adult division, wherein they will be using a paddle with sandpaper cover instead of rubber.
The “lihadors” — Roberto Bas, Glenn Jacalan, Rodulfo Russia and Efren Jacalan will also be defending their title.
The team is supported by the University of the Cebu (UC) and Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC). - THE FREEMAN