2 UC paddlers to compete in China

TWO University of Cebu (UC) paddlers will join Manila’s top players in the Universiade Games 2011 in Shenzhen, China on Aug. 11.

They are 20-year-old Jennifer Jacalan, who will join the women’s team and 18-year-old Darbet Tripoli for the men’s team.

According to UC head coach Jessica Honoridez, two were requested to be part of the RP team after their impressive performances in the Private Schools Athletic Association national finals in Zamboanga and the Philippine National Games in Bacolod.

Jacalan was the Most Valuable Player in the Prisaa, while Tripoli impressed the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines during the PNG.

“They both need this international exposure to enhance their skills, especially since this will be the first international exposure for Tripoli. He needs this because he has a very rare playing style and we want him to improve that,” Honoridez told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview.

Honoridez added that Tripoli’s style has been likened to that of 2005 silver medalist Richard Gonzales, who is also a Cebuano.

“After Gonzales, wala naka sunod sa iyang style. And not a lot of players do the chop-style of playing,” Honoridez said.

As for Jacalan, this will be her third competition abroad as she has competed in the Arafura Games in 2007 in Australia and in the Junior Southeast Asian Table Tennis Association Championships 2009 in Bangkok.