THE early top bets led by national player Michael Dalumpines and Zoren Mendiola, both now based in Manila, prevailed in the opening of the Pahalipay sa Pasko Sports Festival Table Tennis Tournament last Dec. 28 at the Spin Davao Table Tennis Sports Center, this city.
Dalumpines, 37, of the Philippine Air Force defeated Jeofrey Sajol, 3-1, in Bracket C of the men’s open despite playing with an injured right knee.
Dalumpines is considered the best male player ever produced by Davao City.
Mendiola, on the other hand, crushed veteran Pepito Mongao Jr., 3-0 in the men’s open bracket G, while former RP karatedo team member Bern Rexander Tacay made his presence felt by whipping John Sajol, 3-0 in the same bracket.
Tacay, who is back in Davao after a long stint with the PAF karatedo team in Manila, is also campaigning in the men’s Class B division with one win and one loss. Tacay nipped Gibb Lebrando, 3-2 but lost to Glenn Selerio, 1-3.
Dr. Louie Metran, president of the organizing Metro Davao Table Tennis Association (Medatta) and Spin Davao TTC owner Dennis Garcia are also both seeing action.
Metran, however, bowed to Jhon Licarte, 2-3, in his first outing in the men’s open
Bracket D while Garcia edged Almyrick Bangayan, 3-2, in the men’s Class B event.
In the distaff side, 2008 National PRISAA champion Jacqueline Caragao of Spin Davao humbled Fenneth Ranque, 3-0, to live up her billing while Lyndel Sellado won two games with victories over Lovely Agraviador, 3-0, and Richjane Senineng, 3-1. Spin Davao’s Angelli Gallano whipped Jezeil Pepino, 3-0, and Rosennova Perez of Holy Cross of Davao College trounced Evelyn Nemenor, 3-1.
A total of 126 players coming from Manila, Toril, Mintal, Marilog, Paquibato, Kidapawan, General Santos City, Digos, Panabo, Tagum and Tadeco (the biggest with 60) are seeing action in the two-day event.
Tournament officials are composed of Metran, Friendee Nunez, Vic Calanas, Ted Dayanan and Ody Gajitos, while the sponsors are the City Mayor’s Office Sports Development Office, Green Paddle and Spin Davao Table Tennis Sports Center. [Scoop]
