SOMEONE else will hold the torch for Filipino Olympian Ian Lariba in the coming 29th Southeast Asian Games.
Twelve-year-old Filipino Japanese Rizumi Ono will carry on in place of the stricken Lariba.
Ono made waves last weekend in the recent world championships in Germany when she put up a credible challenge before losing in a six-game thriller to six-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike of Nigeria.
Ono, born to a Japanese father and a Filipino mother, bowed to the 41-year-old Oshonaike, 15-13, 11-8, 12-10, 8-11, 6-11, 12-10, in the women’s single qualifications stage.
But she caught the attention of many with her performance.
Philippine Table Tennis Federation president Ting Ledesma said Ono has already been included in the national women’s roster in place of Lariba.
“Kasama na siya sa lineup. Target namin sa SEA Games ay makakuha ng dalawang gold. But, without Yanyan (Lariba), mahirap maabot,” said Ledesma during yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.
Lariba has been recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
Since last week, she has been confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.
Blood donations made by Type O positive donors are already being made on her behalf.
The 22-year-old Lariba competed for the Philippines in the 2016 Rio Olympics and has dominated the UAAP in table tennis last year.
She ended her collegiate career undefeated and was one of the four co-winners for the UAAP Season 78 Athlete of the Year award and was a three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player as well.
Ledesma said fund raisers are already being done on her behalf, with De La Salle University and its alumni leading the way.
He said donations have already been accepted by her family from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and from the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Ledesma added that the PTTF is now in close coordination with La Salle on a fund raising tournament at they are planning by the end of the month.
On the other hand, the Philippine Super Liga has also allocated half of their ticket sales in the start of the All Filipino Conference to Lariba’s cause.