Flag-bearer Lariba bows out of Olympics

MANILA, Philippines — Flag-bearer and paddler Ian Lariba has bowed out of the Rio Olympics after getting swept by a familiar foe on Saturday night.

First-time Olympian and decorated UAAP paddler Lariba yielded to Han Xing of Democratic Republic of Congo after 33 minutes of action in the women's table tennis singles, 7-11, 11-13, 9-11 and 7-11.

Lariba's best moment came in the second, where she secured a game point at the 10th, before eventually losing the game after two deuces.

The left-handed Lariba is ranked 325th in the world, while Han, a naturalized athlete for DRC, sits at 161.

She was supposed to face Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico, who is 89th in the world, but was assigned to take on Han — her usual practice mate — a day before the hostilities.

The 21-year-old is the first Filipino athlete to compete in the Games. Jessie Lacuna will compete in the heats of the 400M freestyle early Sunday morning.

Check out the tweets of The STAR’s Abac Cordero, who is covering the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro:

Lariba leaves the court smiling. Knowing she gave her best. @PhilippineStar

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) August 6, 2016

Lariba: Sayang. Dikit naman except sa end game. May tension at kaba pa ako. But i will bring home this learning experience. @PhilippineStar

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) August 6, 2016

Lariba: may moments na pigil ang palo ko. I know na kaya ko pero may kulang pa. Madami ako natutunan. @PhilippineStar

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) August 6, 2016

Lariba: more on self control and how to overcome this kind of stage. Masaya. I enjoyed nung nasa gitna ako @PhilippineStar

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) August 6, 2016

Lariba: there's reason behind everything. @PhilippineStar

— @abaccordero (@abaccordero) August 6, 2016