TATAP names national players

The Table Tennis Association of the Philippines recently concluded the first TATAP National Table Tennis Selection tournament held April 15-21 at the Rizal Coliseum.

The event was a weeklong gathering of more than 200 table tennis players from all over the Philippines, representing various clubs and institutions coming from as far north as Capiz and Sultan Kudarat in the South.

"It was an amazing seven days of intense competition on a grand scale, as we gathered talents of all ages, from all over our archipelago. There was never a dull moment as we saw players, young and old, vying for the top places and spots in the national team," said TATAP president Victor Valbuena.

The national team includes Richard Gonzales, Antonio Aguinalde, Joseph Cruz, Rebo Cruz and Julius Esposo (men’s) team, and Crisanta Abas, Susan Tayag, Jade Jalloren and Sendrina Balatbat (women’s).

The men’s singles winners were Aguinalde (champion), Kirby Colis (first runner-up) and Johanne Remeneses (second runner-up. In women’s singles, top players were Marell Lagunday (champion), Jalloren (first runner-up), Jessica Jawad (second runner-up) and Gea Khristine Tady (second runner up).

In the juniors division (15-under), the top placers were Edward Ramos (boys), and Sendrina Balatbat (girls).