Indonesian leads PTTF Challenge winners

MANILA, Philippines — Gibran Berliangga of Indonesia made the most of his trip to the Philippines, capturing the collegiate men’s singles title of the PTTF Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Challenge Friday at the Home Court at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

The rising star from Jawa Barat defeated University of Makati’s EJ Yamson, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8, to claim the crown in the tournament backed by the Huaching Foundation, Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Topcoms Marketing Inc., Mizuno Philippines, Cara Celine Dormtel, Gold Cross Security Agency and Best Options Assistance Inc., along with Dino Jalandoni, Bombit Silva, and Eric Ongkauco.

Berliangga led over 409 student-paddlers in action in the biggest staging of the tournament to date, with participants coming from nearly all over the country, including the University of Mindanao.

Berliangga and Yamson booked their finals spots with victories over Santo Tomas’ Jebb Datahan, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9, and La Salle’s Morrison Torres, 11-8, 11-13, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8, respectively.

Top Filipino junior paddler Emmanuel Paculba Jr. stopped an Indonesian sweep of singles by copping the high school boys’ crown with a 6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7 win over Indonesian Muhammad Sayyid Sedi.

UST’s Ramon Canalin and Kieji Ridor ruled the boys’ doubles after beating Philippine Christian University’s top-seeded pair of NJ Marin and Kyle Ruedas, 8-11, 11-6, 14-12, 7-11, 11-9.