Erne Jawad Cup marks 30th year with record number

THE Erne Jawad Memorial Table Tennis Cup celebrates its 30th year with a return in a post-pandemic era at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

After a two-year stretch that saw table tennis competition halted due to Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of super typhoon Odette, the town’s longest-running table tennis tournament is officially back.

The opening ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, was attended by Cebu City Councilors Dondon Hontiveros, Joy Pesquera, JP Labella and Francis Esparis.

Founder and organizer Jessica Jawad Honoridez, her son John Philip Honoridez, and their matriarch Mamang Esther Jawad led the start of the three-day tournament participated by a record number of over 80 teams.

In his speech, Hontiveros, who’s also the vice chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, lauded the event for its contribution to the growth of sports, youth development and sportsmanship.

Hontiveros told the visiting participants to enjoy the game and explore the Queen City of the South after the tournament.

Visiting players come from Iloilo, Ozamis, Ormoc, Bacolod, Maasin, Taclobon, Bohol and Manila. Local players from Talisay City, Mandaue City and Cebu will also see action.

Renowned teams who sent players to the tournament are Hua Ching Foundation, De La Salle Benilde, University of San Carlos, Table Tennis Association for National Development and Asenso Bacolod, among others.

Netters will compete for supremacy in their respective divisions until Monday, Aug. 29, at the aforementioned venue.

Erne Jawad Cup started in 1990 as a tribute to the late national team member Erne Jawad, who was stabbed to death outside the quadrangle of then Cebu Central Colleges, now the University of Cebu. /