TATAND netters claim 2 golds in Global Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Former national players Michael Dalumpines and Cristanta Abas led the Table Tennnis Association North District (TATAND) squad in capturing two gold medals in the recent ninth Nanjing Global Cup Table Tennis Championships held at the Nanjing Sports Complex in Nanjing, China.

Dalumpines and Abas anchored the squad also composed of Philip Uy, Charlie Lim, Alexis Bolante, Homber Tiongson, Kenny Wong, Alex Wong and Andrew Wong in securing the mixed open team title in the event that drew  clubs from throughout China and Chinese-Taipei.

The TATAND players also broke the Chinese and Taiwanese monopoly of the ninth edition of the tournament as Richmond Ong, John Russel Misal, Marcos de Jesus, Sandra Bazar, Jokson Que, Richard Koa, Gilbert Shi and Wilson Ang ruled the “liha” or sandpaper event.

“We would like to congratulate our players for giving honor to the Philippines and showcasing our mettle against top club teams from China and Chinese-Taipei,” Uy, the team’s delegation head, said.

Founded in 2000, TATAND has been one of the country’s pioneer table tennis groups in promoting and popularizing the fast-paced and exciting racket-wielding sport by organizing tournaments and other table tennis-related activities.

Preferring to keep a low-key profile, TATAND officials  supported Rio Olympic Games veteran Ian Lariba in her successful Olympic qualifying event in Hong Kong held in March last year.