Loptta racks up wins at 9th Flexible Cup

LOPUE’S Table Tennis Association (Loptta) mainstay Marell Lagundayalvarez won the championship in the Veterans category and bronze in the Women’s Open in the 9th Flexible Cup International Table Tennis Championship held in Harrison Plaza on February 15 to 17, 2019.

Players from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and Taipei joined in the said tournament.

Alvarez first played in the Women’s Veterans where she won over Aileen Armando by walk-over and Huang Yu Mei of China, 3-0, in the preliminary round to top her bracket.

In the semi-finals, she faced another Chinese player, Jin Hu Guo. At first, long rallies were made by both players but in the end, Guo lost with the score of 0-3.

Alvarez advanced to the finals to face former RP team player, Susan Tayag, who is also waiting on the other bracket.

After 15 long years, the two former number one players in the country met again in the finals as they always vie for the championship in their early years.

Alvarez won the championship over Tayag in straight sets, 3-0.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Open, strong local and international players local and international displayed their skills.

Alvarez and an Indonesian player qualified for the semis.

In the semi-finals, Alvarez lost her match to Crisanta Abas, 2-3. She settled for second runner-up.

Meanwhile, Hosea Alvarez and Santiago Saligumba Jr., having topped their bracket, only reached the Top 16 of their respective events. Also, Micah Tanate lost to Lovely Gabisay in her earlier match./pr