More than a thousand participants are expected to join the weeklong event serving as the tryout for the national pool which the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (Tatap) is putting up as part of the early buildup for the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam next year.
Tatap president Victor Valbuena is expecting a huge turnout because of the sport’s increasing popularity in schools and sports clubs not only in Metro Manila, but in the provinces as well.
"The big number of participants can attest to the growing interest in table tennis. We are thankful that LG Electronics is behind us in our efforts to popularize the sport that fits us Filipinos," said Valbuena. "We are trying to revive table tennis because it is where we will excel internationally."
Interested participants are advised to contact Mylene Laguitan at tel. no. 522-1885 for requirements and registration fee.
The event, which is also supported by Accel and Rustan’s, is touted to be the richest local table tennis tournament, offering more than P200,000 in total cash prizes. Other prizes like bottled perfumes and sunglasses from Rudy Project will also be raffled off to lucky participants and spectators.
Competition will be in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, men’s and women’s team events, mixed doubles, boys’ and girls’ under-14 and under-17.
The country’s top players are seeing action to reaffirm their slots in the national team although fresh faces are expected to surface as a result of the resurgence of interest in table tennis.
Some of the national players who have already confirmed their participation are Brunei Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Richard Gonzales, Joseph Cruz, Ernesto Ebuen, Don Paule and Joselito Almazan in the men’s play. Leading the participants in the women’s side are Crisanta Abas, Sendrina Andrea Balatbat, Jesusa Tayag and Jade Jalloren.