TCC-UC wins Nat'l Open tablenetfest

CEBU, Philippines - After four years of hardwork and sacrifice, the female table tennis players comprising Team Cebu City-University of Cebu (TCC-UC) finally found themselves on top after they dominated the National Open and Inter-Scholastic Table Tennis Championships yesterday at the University of the Philippines-Diliman gymnasium.

Not to be outdone, the TCC-UC men’s squad also brought home the bacon in the collegiate division.

Jennifer Jacalan, Jerny Kaye Pepito and Elona Dane Tormins, the singles champion in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA), trounced reigning UAAP title-holder University of the Philippines (UP)-A, 3-1, in the finals to take home the women's crown.

“I could see their focus and determination. They had a dream to become champions and so they strive hard to achieve it. In the previous years, even if they landed at second or third place, they are already happy knowing that they fought against the best teams in the country. Now, they’re happier so sure that they finally bagged the title,” said TCC-UC head coach Honoridez.

The trio, along with Jera May Saromines, are expected to grab another title as they also advanced into the women's collegiate finals after beating Makati-A, 3-1.

In the men’s finals, Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Dannel Jay Tormis, John Paul Christopher Ba-ay, Val Stephen Jaca and Lemuel Agbon are all high school players but showed great potential in crushing the UP college varsity team, 3-1.

“My purpose of letting these high school boys play in the college level is purely for exposure, but to my surprise they performed beyond my expectations, beating college players and eventually winning the title,” said Honoridez, adding that she drew praise and adulation from the rest of the competitors for the exemplary skills of her wards.

“To be praised by the quality of products you produce is already a fulfilling compliment for me as a coach and a reward at the same time. I’m very glad that my players did well in this competition,” she said. - THE FREEMAN