Joshua Manlapas of Makati-NETTO and J-am Sanchez of Wadjad Tennis Tavolo gained slots to the Philippine team to the Jinjang World School Games after winning the boys and girls singles titles in the recent 2022 FESSAP National Interscholastic Table Tennis Championships at the Robinson-Novaliches in Quezon City.
Manlapas beat Morison Torres of Paco Citizen Academy Foundation, 2-1, in the high school boys singles finals, while the 15-year-old Sanchez defeated Shyrein Mae Redoquerio of Adamson University, 2-0, in the girls finals in the event serving as the qualifier for the PH table tennis team to the World School Games slated November 20 in China.
Despite losing, both Torres and Redoquerio still made it to the PH team along with 14-year-old Kheith Rhynne Cruz. Cruz secured outright slot to the team having represented the country in the Hanoi SEA Games two months back.
In the high school team event of the competition sponsored by Robinsons Novaliches , Joola Philippines, PAGCOR, Best Tank , Omni, Toto Pol Fish Broker, CHAWI Fishing, Paddocks and association’s honorary president Charlie Lim, Cruz teammed up with Jelaine Monteclaro to power Paco Citizen Academy Foundation past La Salle University-Star Power team of MJ Yamson, Zachi Chua and Janna Paculba.
Paco, also composed of Brent Chavez and Torres, completed the sweep with victory in the boys side.
In the college men’s team event, TATAND-Joola of Alexis Bolante, Rill Ramiro, and Francis Bendebel beat Baycliff composed of Pong Mercado, and Ruiz Arc Marcelino, while Perpetual-Patto, bannered by veterans Keziah Bien Ablaza and Jannah Romero, and Rein Teodoro, claimed the women’s title over Wadjad Tennis Tavolo of Sherlyn Love Gabisay, and Emery Faith Digamon.
Former national player and coach Julius Esposa teamed-up with George Quijano, Gregorio Pascua and Charlie Lim as Triple Charles-Army beat ACE composed of Philip Uy, Peter Lam, Michael Dalumpines and Henry Ding to claim the TATAND Executive Veterans Team championship.
Members of the Executive class champion Triple Charles-Army (from left) Gregorio Pascua, George Quijano, Charlie Lim, and Julius Esposo are shown with tournament referee Gigi Aguinalde during the awarding ceremony.
