Tearful Peña makes early exit

TOYOTA CITY, Japan -- Jhona Peña couldn't hold back her tears after getting swept by Seongok Kim of South Korea, 9-11, 6-11, 3-11, in their women's singles Class 6 group stage match table tennis competition of the 5th Asian Para Games on Monday at the Sky Toyota Hall here.

Peña, who lost her right leg to a vehicular accident 16 years ago, had a promising start as she held a 7-5 lead in the first until Kim took six of next eight points to gain the advantage.

Down 0-3 in the second frame, Peña managed to tie at 5-5 before her Korean opponent pulled away with five straight unanswered points en route to the victory that would have sent the 33-year old Bicolana to the Asian Games quarterfinals for the first time.

Fighting through tears, Peña later admitted she lacked mental toughness especially in the most crucial parts of the match.

Meanwhile, Leo Macalanda missed out on a guaranteed bronze in Class 6 as he suffered a 4-11, 5-11, 4-11 loss to Iraq's Muntadher Al-Sarraji.

With Lhey Manginsay, Billy Cartera, and Noriko Batuhan also out of podium contention, the Philippines' hopes of a breakthrough medal is now on the shoulders of Wilfred Redulla.

Redulla, 25, is set to face Kazakhstan's Ali Makhukbekov in the men's singles Class 8 quarterfinals at 3:20 p.m. (Manila time) with a sure bronze on the line.