LAST MEN STANDING. Winners of the Palarong Panglungsod 2012 table tennis tournament show their trophies during the awarding rites held in Marquee mall, Angeles City.
(L-R) Carlo Puno, 2nd place; Joselito Aguilar, 3rd place; Joselito Abedoza, champion; and Jeriel Agbuya, 4th place.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JESS RESADA
ANGELES CITY – Unleashing powerful forehand topspins and counterattacks, Joselito Abedoza defeated former champion Carlo Puno, his teammate and player, and bagged the championship of the Palarong Panglungsod 2012 in Marquee mall here.
Abedoza of Barangay Pulungbulu scored 4-2 in a best of seven game, taking almost all the breakpoints in all six
sets.
“It was not that easy but I was really determined to win,” said Abedoza who lost to Timothy Perez of Cutud during the elimination rounds of the annual table tennis tournament.
It could have ended his goal of reaching the semifinals but a 3-0 win against Ejay Roque of Pampang made the difference.
Sto. Domingo’s Puno, also the 2011 Palarong Panglungsod Class A champion, was undefeated in bracket A beating all five other top caliber players in a single round robin during the elimination.
He said that in the 4th set, service variation was no longer a factor in winning a point. “Short service mattered and it’s the consistency and the persistency to initiate the offense. Kung sino mauna umatake sa kanya ang puntos.”
“He played a great game and he was unstoppable,” he added. Abedoza, Puno, Perez and Roque recently competed in the National PRISAA ( Private School’s Athletic Association) held in Cebu City. Perez, who played in the doubles event with Dustin Yumul, placed 2nd in the said national competition.
Also in the class A category, Joselito Aguilar of Virgen Delos Remedios defeated Jeriel Agbuya of Salapungan, 4-2, to winthe 3rd place.
In the class B category, Rommel Lucencio of Barangay Sta. Teresita won the championship against Michael Sarmiento of Barangay Lourdes Sur, 4-0. Lucencio is a gold medalist of Batang Pinoy (cluster meet) held in Baguio City.
Meanwhile, Trishia Perez of Barangay Cutud handily defeated Chinie Angeles of Balibago, 4-1 winning his first championship of the Palarong Panglungsod, which is one of the most prestigious table tennis competitions in Central Luzon.
It is organized by the Angeles City Spor ts Off ice (ACSO) with sponsorship from Marquee mall.
“We hope that there will be more competitions like this.
Players get motivated, inspired and excel more,” Abedoza said.