Philippine Table Tennis Team Shines at 32nd Southeast Asian Games
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Philippine table tennis team put on a strong showing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, winning a bronze medal and coming close to medaling in several other events.
Richard Gonzales and John Russel Misal captured the bronze medal in the men’s doubles event, losing to world-ranked and eventual gold medalists Izaac Quec and Koen Pang of Singapore in the semifinals.
Kheith Rhynne Cruz also competed in the women’s singles and women’s doubles events, partnering with RJ Fadol. She also played on the women’s team, which also included Fadol, Angel Laude, Emy Rose Dael, and Muse Balatbat. Cruz also teamed up with Edouard Valenet in the mixed doubles event.
The Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc. (PTTF) thanked the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Abet Reyes of Prottec, and Bill Yap of Huaching Foundation for their support of the team.
The PTTF is also optimistic about the future of the national team, citing the team’s strong showing in the SEA Games.
“Aside from getting a bronze medal, we competed in four events, some of them reaching the quarterfinals and came close to a medal as most of them were close matches,” said PTTF president Ting Ledesma. “We are in the right direction and we will strive harder to produce more medals in the future.”
The PTTF formed the team through a national selection held last March in Puerto Princesa, and the team underwent rigorous training leading up to the SEA Games.
Following the SEA Games, Ledesma said the federation is now preparing for the country’s participation in the Southeast Asian Table Tennis Association (SEATTA) juniors tournament next month.
