THE Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (Nopsscea)-Area VIII represented by Lopue’s-La Salle bagged the table tennis championships in the secondary level of the just-concluded Palarong Panlalawigan 2017.
The Lopue’s-La Salle girls team composed of Micah Tanate, Gems Gellang, Stephanie Reign Villanueva, and Kylie Sophia Villanueva mentored by coach Marell Lagunday won all their qualifying games and got the twice to beat privilege. In game one of the finals, Lopue’s-La Salle beat Area IV, 3-1 for the championship.
In the girl’s singles event, Tanate prevailed over Frances Ellane Arguelles of Area IV in the semifinals and won against team mate Kylie Sophia Villanueva in the finals.
The Lopue’s-La Salle boys team composed of Niel John Lauren, Elmer Locsin, Matthew Tolentino, and George Saligumba coached by Rev. Hosea Alvarez also won all their games in the qualifying rounds to earn the twice to beat privilege. They beat Area IV in game one of the finals to win the championship.
In the boy’s singles event, Niel John Lauren won over Ken Andrie Memoria of Negros Occidental High School, representing Area IX to bag the championship, 3-2.
Both Lagunday and Alvarez said their players’ long hours of training, exposure to more tournaments, and mental toughness resulted to winning four golds and one silver. (with reports from PR)