The country’s top table tennis players converge at the activity area of Harrison Plaza in Malate, Manila today for the opening of the 9th Flexible Cup International Table Tennis Championship.
The three-day tournament also features paddlers from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, England, Chinese Taipei, and the United States.
"The competition here is tough with the presence of international players, but I expect the Filipinos to hold their ground," said Charlie Lim of the organizing Table Tennis Association for National Development during Thursday’s ‘Usapang Sports’ presented by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila.
Leading the charge for the local bets is Davao City’s John Russel Misal, who reached the Round-of-16 in the World Championship of Ping Pong held in London last January 26 and 67. Misal, who joined Lim at the weekly sports forum also backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Press Club, became an instant celebrity in London when he stunned Englishman and local favorite Ashley Stokes in the Round-of-32.
"Nu'ng tinalo ko siya (Stokes) nagulat na lang ako dahil marami nang mga bata ang nagpa-autograph sa akin," said the 22-year-old Misal, who played for National University and was named UAAP Most Valuable Player in 2017.
For the Flexible Cup, Misal promised to play his best for his team and prove that he deserves a slot in the Philippine team, eventough he was not allowed to join the national tryouts.
"Gusto ko talagang sumali sa tryout at maglaro sa SEA Games pero gusto nila talikuran ko ang grupo ko at maglaro sa kanila," Misal said. "Para sa akin, dapat bigyan ng karapatan na maglaro sa bansa ang lahat ng Pilipino ano man ang grupo na kinabibilangan niya."
The Flexible Cup has 20 events for men and women with the overall team champion taking home P50,000 and the male and female open singles' champ pocketing P10,000 each. Lim is expecting to draw more than 400 players for this tournament, held every two years.