BACOLOD-BASED Lopue’s Table Tennis Association (Loptta) sparkled over the weekend in the Best of the Best Table Tennis Championship at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to qualify for the 2018 Juniors Southeast Asian Table Tennis Association (Seatta) tournament this coming July.
Coach Marell Lagunday’s Loptta team of Micah Tanate, Stephanie Villanueva, and Neil John Lauren displayed their skills in the three-day event from January 26 to 28 against the country’s top paddlers.
Despite the uphill contest against more experienced opponents, Tanate landed in third place while Villanueva was in fifth in the 15 and Under Cadet Girls division. Lauren ended up in eighth place in the 18 Under Junior Boys.
Lagunday also survived her tough matches to finish third place in the Women’s Open.
“It didn’t hinder, not even, with second thoughts to land a spot and showcase my skills and talent against the best in the tournament,” she said.
Players who qualified during the tournament will undergo ranking process in May 2018 ahead of the Junior Seatta. (HGD)