PTTF tourney expects huge field

The Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc. (PTTF) Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Challenge fires off from 29 to 31 August at the Home Court, Ayala Malls Manila Bay with more players expected to participate.

Now on its third edition, the tournament has become one of the most anticipated events in the table tennis community where the best college and high school teams from different leagues converge and compete against each other across 14 events.

“Last year, around 600 participants. This time, we are looking at an even bigger number of participants,” PTTF secretary general Pong Ducanes said.

“This is the third season and this is the biggest intercollegiate, interscholastic event in the country in the post-pandemic era were different universities, colleges, and schools from different leagues meet in one big event to test who is the best in the country.”

University of Santo Tomas captured seven titles in last year’s competition with Eljay Tormis among the winners by ruling the College Men’s Singles division of the event backed by Topcoms Marketing, Lamtex, Akari, Huaching Foundation, Cara Celine Dormtel, Gold Cross Security Agency, Aero Technologies Solutions OPC, Osmium Group Marketing Inc., Gatorade, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

The college division will have eight events in the men’s team-Division 1, women’s team-Division 1, men’s team-Division 2, women’s team-Division 2, men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles.

The high school division in the tournament also supported by Dino Jalandoni, Eric Ongkauko, Bombit Silva and Mark Andrew Flores will have the following events: boys’ team, girls’ team, boys’ singles, girls’ singles, boys’ doubles and girls’ doubles.