Photo caption: Participants, coaches, and organizers of the 31st Erne Jawad Memorial Table Tennis Cup gathered for a group photo before the competition started at the Cebu Coliseum. | Photo from Sugbuanong Kodaker
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The 31st Erne Jawad Memorial Table Tennis Cup wrapped up successfully last Monday after three days of top-notch competition at the Cebu Coliseum.
According to Jessica Jawad Honoridez, the organizer who is also the athletic director of the University of Cebu (UC), the tournament was a showcase of talent and also a mini reunion of her former players who now play for various teams in Manila.
“Nindot nga feeling makita nimo imong mga players sauna nga maoy nangharos sa duwa. Gipang recruit mani sila sa uban schools sa Manila, so rare opportunity ni para nako makita sila nagduwa diri sa Cebu,” said Honoridez.
“Proud kaayo ko, makalipay ba, after all this years, ang mga bata naa diri representing other clubs, UC rar man gihapon ni sila, sila ang mga key players ani nga mga team. They’re part of the Jawad Cup, once they were volunteers.”
Jawad Cup results
Some of the most notable former UC table tennis players were Val Stephen Jaca and Eljey Dan Tormis, who topped several categories.
Tormis who played for the Philippines in last May’s 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, topped the men’s team open together with Jaca and teammate Brent Chavez under Team Huaching-A.
Jaca went on to rule the men’s singles open after beating Street Pongers’ Elijah Yamson.
In the girls under-18 division, Kristienne Kaye Alicaya, a double-bronze medalist in the Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City led UC to top the category. She was joined by teammates Neve Gabrielle Mata and Melanie Galeon.
As expected, out-of-town teams comprised of UAAP players and professional table tennis players, ruled the three-day tournament.
The women’s team champion were the All-Star Legend, while the boys team under-18 title went to Huaching-A, and the boys team under-13 was ruled by Iloilo Baptist.
Also, SLP/San Enrique Negros Occidental topped the girls team under-13.
The rest of the singles event champions were Nielben Carreon (executive open 45-above), Angela Jover (girls under-18), Rose Jean Fadol (women’s open), Joshua Banas (boys under-13 ), Menchie Kate Dizon (girls under-13), and Daniel Butar (boys under-18).
Player to watch
Honoridez credited one of her players, 17-year-old Andrie Caballes of Talisay City, who earned a silver medal in the boys singles under-18 category.
According to Honoridez, Caballes vied in both the men’s singles open and under-18 categories semifinals in one day. Caballes didn’t just play, but gave his opponents a challenging match, which, for Honoridez, was commendable.
“Nakita jud nako ang potential ug talent sa bata. Grabe iyahang paningkamot kay duha ka semifinals iyahang giduwaan, pero bisan napildi siya sa men’s open, nakuha jud niya ang second place sa under-18. Taas ko ug expectations niya sukad pa pag Palarong Pambansa, karon nakita na jud sa Jawad Cup,” said Honoridez.
Over 500 table tennis players competed in the team and singles events represented by various teams around the country.
/bmjo
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