University of Santo Tomas (UST) dominated the Home Court Ayala Malls Manila Bay-PTTF Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Challenge over the weekend, capturing seven titles.
Eljay Tormis led the charge for UST, winning the college men’s singles title, while Emmanuel Paculba Jr. and Trixie Alarcon secured the high school mixed doubles crown for the España-based squad.
Paculba also teamed up with Jebb Datahan to claim the high school boys’ doubles title, and Alarcon partnered with Samantha Bandojo to win the high school girls’ doubles.
UST completed its sweep by winning the college men’s team, college women’s team, and high school girls’ team events.
Far Eastern University (FEU) also secured victories, with Chrishien Santillan triumphing in the college women’s singles and the duo of Dane Piala and Shaira Gabisay taking the college mixed doubles title.
De La Salle University (DLSU) clinched two championships: Cielo Bernaldez and Angel Laude won the college women’s doubles, while Troy Docto and EJ Yamson captured the college men’s doubles.
In other results, Zachi Chua of Panda Power HG won the high school girls’ singles, Gerald Aguilar of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) took the high school boys’ singles, Myzette Riane Torres of Paco Christian Academy Foundation claimed the elementary girls’ singles, and Gabriel Noche won the elementary boys’ singles.
UPHSD also secured the high school boys’ team title, adding to their successful campaign. The tournament, supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, MVP Sports Foundation, Ayala Malls Manila Bay Home Court, Cara Celine Dormtel, Topcoms Marketing, Mizuno Philippines, Dino Jalandoni, Eric Ongcauco, and Bombit Silva, attracted 600 participants.
Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc. president Ting Ledesma emphasized the importance of the competition, noting that holding the event in a mall setting helps promote the sport to a broader audience.
“Monetary gain may be limited, but the joy we experience in witnessing players engage in our sport is immeasurable. Every time you play at the mall, you are actively promoting our sport. Your patronage within the mall aids local business, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between sports and commerce,” said Ledesma.
Inspirational messages were also delivered by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy, UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag, and Forthress Philippines Corporation president Edison Dy.
