TOP table tennis players in the country will converge in Bacolod City to compete in the Lopue’s Table Tennis Association (Loptta) annual tournament on March 28 to 30 to be held at Loptta Center at Lopue’s San Sebastian Annex Building at Araneta-San Sebastian Streets.
Dubbed Lopue's Open 2014, it will be a gathering of star paddlers who will pocket enticing cash prizes, trophies and medals in team events for men and women. Tournament rule allows a ranked player and two non-ranked paddlers per team.
Expected ranked players include Richard Gonzales, Ting Ledesma, Henberd Ortalla, Rodel Valle, Japhet Adaza, Joselito Almazan, Joseph Cruz, Lauro Crisostomo, Julius Esposo, Antonio Aguinalde, Angelo Marcelino, Rebo Cruz, Michael Dalumpines, Leo de Leon, Isaias Seronio, Michael Pana, Bong Palermo, Andrew Timson, Noel Gonzalez, Harold Baring, Walden Ledesma, Nash Jacolo, and Ernesto Ebuen Jr.
On the distaff side are Chrisma Capistrano, Beverly Villar, Henezey Aragon, Ian Lariba, Crisanta Abas, Louise Tabulao, Jade Jalloren, Arlene Borja, Sedrina Balatbat, Susan Tayag, Ayra Malabayabas, Kaitlyn Cruz, Princess Tambo, Anabelle Comendador, and Jamaica Sy.
Ranked players who are not in the list will be screened by the Organizing Committee subject for classification as either “ranked” or “non-ranked entries.”
The male division champion will receive P 30,000; first runner-up, P15,000; second runner-up, P 12,000; and third runner-up, P 8,000.
In the female division, the champion will take home P 20,000; first runner-up, P10,000; second runner-up, P 6,000; and third runner-up, P 4,000.
All the winners will also receive trophies and medals.
Registration fee is pegged at P1,000 per team. The drawing of lots will be on March 27.
Elimination round commences on March 28 while semifinal and championship matches will be on March 30.
The Organizing Committee has the right to refuse any team/player(s) from joining the tournament without stating any reason. The tournament will be conducted in accordance with current Laws of Table Tennis (ITTF) and the rules set by the LOC.
Loptta president Leonito Lopue heads the host clubm, which also bankrolls the competition.