UC table paddlers stun UAAP, NCAA champs to win Eastern Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The University of Cebu Webmasters showed they are truly a force to reckon with in table tennis after they stunned the champions in UAAP and NCAA to snare the collegiate crown of the 8th Eastern Cup National Table Tennis Tournament over the weekend at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy in Quezon City.

UC, the only team outside of Manila invited to join the event, was composed of Dannel Jay Tormis, Francis Bendebel, Val Stephen Jaca and Lemuel Agbon.

After topping their group in the elimination round, the Webmasters tamed San Beda College, the defending Eastern Cup champion and reigning NCAA titlist, 3-0, to set up a semifinal duel against Far Eastern University.

UC also advanced in the men's division semis but they focused only in the collegiate battle.

"We decided to focus on the collegiate division since we are a college team. It's really our priority. I did not gamble with the men's open because my players might get exhausted," said UC's decorated coach Jessica Jawad-Honoridez.

It was indeed a wise decision as UC went on to thrash FEU, 3-0, to arrange a championship showdown with UAAP title-holder De La Salle University.

In the finals, the World University Games-bound Val Stephen Jaca silenced Cristobal, 3-0, while Dannel Jay Tormis also came up with a 3-0 wipeout of Jenthro Yatco.

With a 2-0 advantage, Francis Bendebel did not complicate the matter for the Cebuano table netters, sealing UC's bid with a 3-1 victory over Walden Ledesma.

"This victory is very overwhelming. We actually decided to join this event in support of the organizers and their celebration of the 39th Filipino-Chinese Diplomatic Relations since UC's owner, Atty. Go(Augusto), is also a Chinese diplomat. We didn't realize that table tennis followers want to settle the long issue about who is the best collegiate team in the country, if its the PRISAA, the UAAP or the NCAA champion. Luckily, we emerged as the champion," proudly declared Honoridez. (FREEMAN)