The yearly Celebrity Squash Tournament organized by the Squash Rackets Association of the Philippines (SRAP) has actually become a habit for most of the players that have been participating since year one, so when we heard that this 6th edition was going to be the last, we were all filled with mixed emotions.
It was exciting to have the group back together again, with more players added as the years went by, but knowing that this was the farewell event of the outgoing SRAP board, it was definitely bitter sweet.
It was also added motivation to win because there was no making up for the losses after this year, the champion will be the champion forever! That’s exclusive bragging rights!
And mind you, given the competitive nature of all the players, they will always let you know they finished on top!
Team Springblade: Tad Abello, Gil Coscolluela, Apples Aberin, George Gordon, Patrice Diaz, Aly Borromeo?
This year’s edition, presented by Adidas, had four groups: I was in Team Boost together with Duane Santos, Jovie Villar, James Younghusband, Tweetie Gonzales, Tim Yap, and Rissa Trillo; Team Crazylight with Randy Precilla, Peter Hager, Ben Wintle, Phil Younghusband, Margot Garcia, Rhett Eala, and Phem Barranda; Team Springblade had George Gordon, Gil Coscolluela, Tad Abello, Aly Borromeo, Patrice Diaz, Apples Aberin, and Baba Parma; Team Supernova with Ernie Lopez, Gutsy Tuason, Teddy Dario, Anton del Rosario, Bubbles Paraiso, Keren Pascual, and Karen Jimeno.
The entire afternoon at the Manila Polo Club was filled with exciting matches but in the end, Team Crazylight came out on top! The event was also for the benefit of the ICanServe Foundation, so it was a worthy endeavor altogether. It was also supported by Fresh Papaya, Peak Form, Gatorade, FINCAP Securities, Inc., Solaire, Havaianas, and Unilever.
The outgoing board: Jovie Vilar, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Tet Mañalac, Duane Santos, Alan Tantoco?
The tournament was originally conceptualized to promote and help popularize the sport of squash, and it did serve its purpose, but it has grown into molding lasting friendships, and also a coming together for a day of fun, fellowship, and to raise funds for a good cause. Kudos to the outgoing board led by Alan Tantoco, Santos, Boyong Deles, Tet Manalac, Villar, Romy Ribano, and Tweetie Gonzales.
We’re quietly hoping that the incoming board sees the gains made through this event and continues it in the coming years.
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