TABLE tennis players from the Lopue’s Table Tennis Association, University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the University of Cebu (UC) placed second in the recently concluded Huaching Invitational Table Tennis Tournament held in Mandaue, Cebu City from November 10 to 11, 2018.
Loptta-UST-UC team composed of Loptta honed and reigning Rookie of the Year from UST John Michael Castro, Loptta’s Mark Francis Jimenez, and UC standout Glendo Nayre beat Huaching B in the semis, 3-1, to secure a showdown in the final round against defending champion Huaching A, who defeated Team Malaysia in the other semi-final round.
In the semis, Huaching B drew first blood after Val Stephen Jaca won against Glendo Nayre. Castro then tied the score at 1-1 after winning against Francis Bendebel (3-1). Loptta’s Jimenez put the team ahead 2-1 in team standing after winning against Zoren Mendiola in a nail-biting thriller (13-11) in the deciding game. Castro then closed the deal by demolishing Val Stephen Jaca (3-0).
In the finals, the Loptta-UST-UC team falls short against the four-peat champion, Huaching A, losing in a decider 3-2 in team standing.
Castro put the team up 1-0 in team standing after defeating Youth Olympian and Philippine team member, Jann Nayre (3-1).
Seagames silver medalist and current national team member Richard Gonzales of Huaching then tied the score at 1-1, after beating Jimenez (3-0). The Loptta-UST-UC’s Glendo Nayre put the team one win away to claim the elusive championship title after maintaining his composure to beat current Philippine team member, Japhet Adaza (3-1).
Huaching’s Jann Nayre, with a team standing at 2-2 after winning against Jimenez (3-2), to force a do or die final match between Castro and Gonzales. The final championship game went down the wire with Gonzales of Huaching edging Castro in a decider (3-2).
Castro added another title for the Loptta-UST-UC team after finishing second runner-up in the 23 under scholars singles event.
A total of 25 teams and 31 scholars saw action in the two-day event organized by the Huaching Foundation.
Huaching Invitational Table Tennis Tournament is considered as one of the prestigious tournaments held annually in the Philippines where players from neighboring countries Malaysia and Singapore see action.(PR)