AS PART of Bacolod City’s grandest MassKara Festival, the first Mayor Albee Benitez Table Tennis Cup opens 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 5, 2022, on the ground floor of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City.

Councilor Claudio Puentevella will represent Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez in the opening rites, while the guest of honor is Philippine Table Tennis Federation president Ting Ledesma.

Ting will also be playing in the team event.

The three-day tourney, which will run until October 7, is under the auspices of the Balik Yuhom Foundation headed by Masskara Festival Director Lawyer Pinky Mirano-Ocampo.

The sporting event is in partnership with the Table Tennis Legends Association of Bacolod (TTLAB) headed by Chairman Jacksi Go, President Rudy Sy and Vice President Nicky Puentevella.

Spearheading the tournament organizing committee are Makoi Jong (tournament chairman/event facilitator), Michael Yanos (tournament manager), Jojo Jalandoon (tournament secretary), and committee members Jacksi Go, Rudy Sy and Mogie Gindap.

Some 130 paddlers will see action in the age group category (16 under, 12 under and 10 under), while 33 teams will vie for the titles in the team events (National Open, Negros Open and Invitational Executive Category).

The age group categories will be played via round robin system in the elimination round, and via a single knock-out system in the quarter finals and finals. For the team events, the matches will be played via single-doubles-single (SDS) format.

Some national and local table tennis stars are expected to see action in the tourney. Among them are Bacolod City’s very own paddlers Kheith Rhynne Baldemoro Cruz and Sheryl Mae Otaneź, who are current members of the national women's table tennis team.

Cash prizes, trophies and medals await the winners of the team and individual events. (PR)