Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Paddlers captured a two-gold, two-silver, and two-bronze finish as they concluded the Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc. (PTTF) Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Challenge Table Tennis Tournament held last August 29 to September 1 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City. 

The green-and-gold team managed to snag two titles in the Mixed Doubles and Women’s Singles categories. 

Spearheading the Women’s Singles division was Chrishien Santillan, while Dane Piala and Shaira Gabisay came out on top of the Mixed Doubles. 

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Piala shared his gratitude for having Gabisay as his partner. 

“I’m grateful po na kami [ni Gabisay] ‘yung nagsama…Sabi ni Coach [Noel Gonzales], may chemistry kami, and that’s where I learned na puwede kami mag-mixed doubles when it comes to tournaments (I’m grateful that we were the ones that played together… Coach told us we have chemistry, and that’s where I learned that we can pair up again in mixed doubles in tournaments),” he shared.

Additionally, the Morayta-based paddler emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes even after acquiring the team’s one of two PTTF titles. 

“Naipakita namin [kung] gaano kami kalakas sa ibang teams; gaano namin pinaghahandaan ‘yung ganitong tournament…All I can say is that we learn from our mistakes, and we train hard. Anumang sasabihin ng coaches, susundin namin; ‘yung respect and discipline po (We were able to assert our dominance over the other teams; and showed them how much we prepared…All I can say is that we learn from our mistakes, and we train hard. Whatever our coaches say, we will do),” he mentioned.

Aside from the two championship titles, the Tamaraw Paddlers showed a commendable performance in the other divisions, acquiring a total of two silvers and two bronzes. 

Women’s Singles bronze medalist Aizel Rom shared the silver win with Santillan and Gabisay in the Team Event category.

Santillan and Christian Golez also obtained a silver medal in the Mixed Doubles. 

In the Women’s Doubles Category, Miriam Martinez and Julianah Monsuelo landed a spot on the podium with a bronze finish.

The FEU Tamaraw Paddlers are set to leave their mark as they prepare for the upcoming Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The PTTF Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Challenge Tournament is a nationwide table tennis event with student-athletes across different schools. Following the event’s recent success, it aims to promote table tennis as a rising sport in the country. 

- Joshua Kyle Beltran

(Photo courtesy of the FEU Tamaraw Paddlers Facebook page)