MANILA, Philippines – Walden Ledesma of Chiang Kai Shek College battled back from two sets down to repulse Jefferson De Jesus of Philippine Buddhacare Academy, 5-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-6, and capture the singles crown in the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) table tennis championship at the Philippine Cultural College Annex in Caloocan City recently.
Ledesma, the son of former national player Ting Ledesma, recovered his bearing in time, outsteadying De Jesus in an extended third set thriller and then hanging tough in the fourth.
Sustaining his momentum, he dominated the deciding frame to complete his stirring come-from-behind victory.
“I dedicate this win to my father who trains me since the very start,” said Ledesma, also a mainstay of Filipino-Chinese Table Tennis Association and Metropolitan Table Tennis Association.
The victory also netted him the MVP plum.
Ledesma, winner of last year’s Binay Cup’s 14-and-under title, also fought back from a set down to turn back Karl Hui of Saint Jude, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-6, in the semis. He defeated George Go, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4, in the quarters.