De La Salle University emerged victorious in both the men’s and women’s divisions of the 1st PTTF Hua Ching Intercollegiate Challenge over the weekend at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.
The men’s team, composed of Elijah Yamson, Dino Gabriel Marcelo, and Red Morison Torres, secured a 2-0 victory over Ateneo.
Similarly, the women’s squad, comprised of Angel Joyce Laude, Cielo Bernaldez, and Shyrein Mitz Rein Redoquerio, also triumphed over Ateneo with a 2-0 score, claiming the titles in the tournament that attracted 45 teams.
Both teams were coached by Lauro Paredes Crisostomo.
In the men’s division, Yamson defeated Mahendra Kong Cabrido, with scores of 14-12, 11-5, 12-10, while Torres overcame Andrew Uy, securing a victory of 12-14, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9 for De La Salle-1, thereby winning the championship tie.
For the women’s division, Laude emerged victorious against Jelaine Monteclaro, with scores of 11-7, 11-5, 11-7, and Redoquerio defeated Ann Gella Borbon, with scores of 11-8, 11-7, 3-11, 11-7, securing the women’s title for De La Salle-1.
Ateneo secured the first runner-up position, while University of Santo Tomas-1 and De La Salle-2 claimed the second runner-up spots in the men’s division.
In the women’s bracket, Ateneo, UST, and Far Eastern University-2 secured the subsequent positions in the event organized by the Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc., sponsored by Hua Ching Foundation and Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and in partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee, Gold Cross Security and Investigation Agency Inc, Cara Celine Dormtel, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., Dino Jalandoni, and DWPM Radyo 630.
During the opening rites, NCAA Season 99 Management Committee chairman Paul Supan congratulated the participants of around 200 players as they are “a testament to the best quality of the athlete which is resiliency and the ability to adapt to situations” with sports events now back during the pandemic.
UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag also encourages the college players to stay patient and continue to work hard during their training.
“It is all about trusting the process. It is all about undergoing the process,” said Saguisag.
