Aquinian smashers shine in national tourney

Wins third place behind Ateneo, La Salle

Aquinas University still proves to be home to the region’s best table tennis players, as it continues to dominate various local and national competitions.

Aquinian smashers finished third overall in the 9th Magayon Festival National Table Tennis Tournament held on April 21–24, 2016 at LCC Malls Event Center, Legazpi City, championing over some of the most accomplished table tennis players of the country.

The contest was an open-category tournament participated in by teams of three from all over the Philippines.

Jerome Taller, Aquinian senior, together with AUL varsity alumni Kenneth Maligat and Jones Batalla, represented Aquinas University of Legazpi in the said tourney.

The 16 teams who joined the competition were divided into four brackets — A to D — during the elimination round. AUL aced bracket A giving them a pass to enter the final round.

In the final round, the Aquinian Aficionados competed against the topnotchers of each bracket. The winners were determined through a series of singles and doubles matches.

Meta- Ateneo and Meta- La Salle won first and second respectively.

Taller, who joined the same tournament last year and finished first runner-up, expressed his joy and sense of accomplishment after this year’s tournament.

“Basta, palagi lang magkaisa at hardwork,” said Taller pointing out the importance of trust with one’s teammate. ■ By Archie Ner