NASHSPINNER At YOG-ASIA TRIALS

The Pinoy Junior paddlers,

Nashspinner Ryan Rodney Jacolo & Jamaica Dianne Sy,

were mentored by Coach Johann Remaneses

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Bangkok — Dubbed as "The Road To Nanjing", the Juniors Table Tennis continental qualifying tournament for Asia was held in Bangkok, Thailand on April 3-5, 2014. Top Junior Table Tennis players from 11 Asian countries competed in the 3-stage netfest for the right to claim the invitation letter to the 2nd Youth Olympic Games which will happen in Nanjing, China in the latter part of August 2014.

Another golden opportunity for Filipino youngsters made possible thru the tireless efforts of TATAP President Mr. Ting Ledesma.


Video:
Philippines x Laos

TATAND Conquers 2014 Taytay Team Event

TATAND-MARCLYN 

Champions: Nashspinner and Marcos De Jesus. 

Photo courtesy of Taytay Table Tennis Club

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PHI — Nashspinner Ryan Rodney Jacolo and Marcos De Jesus of TATAND-MARCLYN whipped all opposition to bag the Gold in the recently-concluded Taytay Mayor's Cup Cup 2014. The one-day tournament held on February 9, 2014, Sunday, had a rich entry of nearly 60 teams representing almost the full spectrum of the Luzon table tennis community — TATAP, UAAP, NCAA, Air Force, PLDT, MERALCO, SANWEI, Makati Panthers, Metro Manila Table Tennis Clubs including Amoranto, Santolan, Binangonan and, of course, TATAND among others.

The tournament format was Singles-Doubles-Singles with a lot of teams fielding lefty-righty pairs — ideal for the Doubles event. But for both righty champs, what they lacked in the lefty department they certainly made up for with having two different rackets and entirely different offensive styles fused together — Nashspinner's all-rubber attack and Marcos' dizzying short pips. The duo was formidable as they shot down opponents climbing to the top one by one.

Early Stages
In the Eliminations, the first to go were TATAP's Walden Ledesma and lefty Princess Tambo, then the Adamson University pair defaulted. Team Binangonan threatened in the Doubles event but lost 3-2.

In the Quarterfinals, Nashspinner beat UST's lefty Ablanque in the 1st Singles event. In the Doubles event, Ablanque and his veteran partner Leo De Leon tried to come back but fell short in the end with a 3-2 card.

Semifinals
It was a tough Semis against TATAP!

1st Singles Match
View the video soon
Nashspinner (TATAND) x Valle (TATAP). The TATAP bet drew first blood and took the 1st set.

Nashspinner jumpstarted Set 2 scoring four quick points and putting up a comfortable cushion. Contented with trading points as they approach the endgame, Nash suddenly got another three straight points, leaving Valle behind. He then closed the set with a beautiful mid-distance fast loop to even up the match at 1-1.

Going for an aggressive start in Set 3, Nash got three quick attack points and led early. Valle tried to mount a 3rd ball offense but the kid held fast, receiving with sharp BH flicks. The veteran had some brilliant blocks towards the end but eventually succumbed to the relentless pounding from the youngster. TATAND led 2-1.

The 4th set started slow. Then, in midgame, Nash got 1 in from a heavy FH cross off a chop. Valle sued for time. Off the timeout, Nashspinner spurted with four straight points and his opponent gave away two more errors as the game ended. Nash scored his winning shot with a classic chop-and-spin combination taking the set and the match.

The 16-year old high school senior scored an important upset against the veteran. TATAND was up 1-0 in the team standing.

Doubles Match
The TATAP pair of Valle and Muse seemed to have an edge on the TATAND duo Nash and Marcos.They were always one step ahead with TATAND always on their tail. Muse was quarterbacking TATAP very skillfully and also delivering a lot of killing blows. The match went all the way to the fifth set, but TATAND lost with several crucial errors in Set 5. Both teams stood even at 1-1.

2nd Singles Match. 
Marcos De Jesus (TATAND) x Muse Balatbat (TATAP). Muse started quick and was hitting very well in the open. She led 9-5 and was on the verge of breaking the first set. Marcos baited her with long chops but her spins kept on dying at the net, courtesy of his short pips. Game tied at 9-9, Muse tried looping his chops but Marc, with his tall frame, was already waiting above the loop and bombed her with flat drives and stole away the set.

From  L-R: Rodney, Nashspinner and Muse

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In the 2nd set, Muse must have caught an allergy to pimples. Marc's dead pushes and flicks were really taking their toll on the lady. Her attack slowed down and Marcos snatched the offensive. Serving from his BH, his attack patterns culminated in a punishing full-swing flat drive. Marc again took the set. TATAND led 2-0.

Muse went for broke in the 3rd set. She forced long fast balls and drove a hole into Marc's defenses. She got her deadly BH spin back into action, scored several crucial points, and held on to the match at 1-2.

Set 4. Muse had adjusted. She rained long sharp spins that got Marc off-balance. Muse demonstrated she owns a fast, low-arc, deep crosscourt FH spin which she can shoot from her BH side like a wicked javelin.With her corner's strategy working, she tied the match at 2-2. Suddenly TATAND's grab on the the Finals match was slipping away.

It was a cut-throat set for the finale. The other Semis match was done and San Beda's J. Ortalla and Z. Mendiola were waiting in the wings. Marcos and Muse were both soaked and fired up. The TATAP corner was one big cheering squad. Nashspinner was the TATAND solo cheering squad. All eyes on table #2, everyone was hardly breathing.

True to their form, both players stuck to their respective winning shots in the previous sets. Muse immediately initiated a fast exchage, going for the hard kill. Marc, on the other hand, had perfect reception playing his slow, dizzy FH flicks brilliantly. It was a toe-to-toe battle right up to 6-6 when Marc found his mark in Muse's open right side every time she goes around the ball for a fast loop. His BH push was killing her again and he broke away in the endgame, taking the set and winning the match. TATAND was in the Finals!

The  Winners of the TaytayTeam Event 2014

Photo courtesy of Taytay Table Tennis Club

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Finals.
TATAND took on San Beda College.
View the video soon

1st Singles Match
 Nashspinner (TATAND) beat Ortalla (San Beda College), 3-0.

Doubles Match
Nash was still hot from his first match win. The TATAND duo proceeded to hammer the SBC pair, and almost ran away with straight sets, but got only as far as 2-0.

In Set 3, with TATAND was inches away from the Gold, SBC clawed back point by point and, almost surprisingly, won the set.

In Set 4 TATAND was forcing the issue. The SBC tandem, Jong and Zoren, thriving in the confusion, turned the table on Nash and Marc, taking the set again at 2-2.

The ensuing rubbermatch was a battle of wits and tactics. The lead kept on changing up to the middle game. Sensing blood, the SBC pair jumped the gun and chased after a hasty kill. TATAND opted to slow down in the endgame, messing up the SBC pair's timing and broke their magic. After that they fell prey to the pimples' wiggling balls, and Marcos bagged the winning shot with his signature FH flat drive.

TATAND won 3-2 to become the Champions!

The TATAND-MARCLYN coaching staff flanking the champions.

L-R: George, Nashspinner, Marcos, and Homber

Photo courtesy of Taytay Table Tennis Club

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JOOLA Shines In Cebu

Photos courtesy of ASTA Trading

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 CEBU — Nashspinner (Ryan Rodney A. Jacolo) won the Gold Medal for JOOLA in the prestigious Hua Ching - Invitation 2013 "SCHOLAR'S CHALLENGE" held in Mandaue City, Cebu, Phils. last Oct. 25-27, 2013.

A significant part of probably Cebu's biggest Table Tennis event, the Scholar's Challenge was participated by a rich pool of high school and collegiate varsity players from around the country.

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UP THE LADDER
Nashspinner had to clean up his bracket in the eliminations, which included Phil. Juniors teammate and Cebu's upcoming wonderkid J. Nayre. Then, survived F. Mendebel of University of Cebu in the Semifinals to earn a shot at the Championship.

THE FINALS
Nash toppled Bacolod's LOPTTA  bet J. Gubaton in a very tactical Championship match, 3-1.

Set 1. Nashspinner was able to gain control in the onset and maintained a 2-pt lead most of the way challenging the opponent with crisp FH spins. Gubaton tried to keep up with good blocking but got overwhelmed 11-9.

The LOPTTA star made his adjustments in the 2nd set launching an aggressive offense. Going around the ball, Gubaton shot daunting FH spins from his BH side. He also came up with clever dropshots and took the set 8-11. Match even at 1-1.

A crucial Set 3. Whoever takes the set gains momentum. Both protagonists were fired up. Nashspinner went into his flick-and-counterattack routine inviting an FH-FH counterspin rally. Gubaton obliged. A furious toe-to-toe FH spin battle ensued up to deuce. When the dust settled, Nashspinner remained standing at 12-10. He was up on the match 2-1.

Gaining momentum entering Set 4, Nashspinner started lacing his offense with devastating BH spins compounding his opponents woes. He broke away in the set and aced the match with an 11-7 win. JOOLA gets the Gold!

FACT
1. Nashspinner was the lone JOOLA entry in Cebu.
2. He got the Championship in this maiden campaign in the Hua Ching tournament.

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Proudly a JOOLA-sponsored player!

Nashspinner is powered by JOOLA Rosskopf Force Carbon Blade and JOOLA Rhyzm Rubbers.

New Table Tennis Venue in QC

GOOD NEWS TO US MY FELLOW PONGERS!

I wish to share an experience. Two days ago, on Oct. 13,2013, me and my son, Nashspinner, have been to the NEWEST table tennis center in Quezon City —
GREEN PADDLE TABLE TENNIS CENTER.

Location: 3F Jackman Mall along EDSA (Northbound) before corner Roosevelt Ave.
Landmarks: (Northbound) LRT 1 Roosevelt Station. (Southbound) Walter Mart & Muñoz Market.

Inside Jackman Mall, find your way to the 3rd floor using the escalators. Pagbungad mo pa lang sa 3F, you can't miss the green GP logo. Store in front, playing area inside.

In the store I paid P60 to play.

Entering the playing area, I noticed the following:

The Playing Area.
Apple green wooden double walls. Glossy red floor (hindi madulas). Tall ceiling. Strong overhead lights. Moderate aircon (mas mahina kaysa store area). One row of green and white plastic benches along the northern wall for your bags.

Tables.
There are 4 tables.
Table 1 (nearest the entrance door). A VIP Adidas table, separated from the others by surrounds, for multiple balls training and table tennis lessons conducted by the resident trainer.
Tables 2 & 3 are dark green Joola tables.
Table 4 (farthest from the entrance door). A light blue Green Paddle table.

Scoreboards.
Each table has a white plastic deskchair with a Joola scoreboard.

The Crowd.
Homber Tiongson of TATAND was there who played with my son. I also met an Amoranto playmate and his son. I played some matches with a couple of Chinoy HS and college kids. And there were beginners as well. Small crowd but somewhat covered the whole Table Tennis spectrum.

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My First Impressions
GP's playing area is brightly colored creating a light atmosphere while playing. The room is bright but not glaring...... kind to older players with old eyes.

The space is good for close-to-the-table play and permits a decent mid-distance counterspin game. Could be a bit short, though, if you are a hardcore, defensive 'chopista' against a consistent fast looper. Pero muluwag ang pakiradam maglaro dahil sa mataas ang ceiling.

The playing crowd is kind of thin yet considering that the place has just opened, however, the location is really great for folks in QC. Even for pongers in Valenzuela and northwards or San Juan and farther south, just find a train, if you are not driving, and you are only a few minutes away from a nice pingpong game.

Playing in an aircon mall, my P60 at GP also bought me a smoke-free table tennis game. Sulit na rin. Mahina lang ang aircon sa playing area so I was able to run a good sweat.

Now, I have also discovered a row of massage chairs for only P10 not far from GP. Not bad after hitting balls hard for some hours!

Overall, the newest GP in QC is a wonderful alternative as a Table Tennis playing venue here in QC.

From a QC ponger, congrats and thanks to Mr. Philip Uy of GP/Joola.

JOOLA's Nashspinner Places 3rd In The Junior SEATTA 2013

Photo courtesy of Jayson Jaquilmo

Photo courtesy of Lorie Wadjad

PHI — The Junior Southeast Asian Table Tennis Association (SEATTA) hosted this year by the Philippines was held from July 12-16, 2013 at the Harrison Plaza Mall, Philippines.

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The Philippine Contingent

Photo courtesy of Jayson Jaquilmo

First of all, congratulations to TATAP and its President Mr. Ting Ledesma for hosting a successful international tournament and for getting together the cream of the crop of our Junior Table Tennis players, at this time, from all over the country to represent the Philippines.

In the 18U age group, we had John Gubaton & Edmund Garganian of Bacolod/LOPTTA, the Benoya brothers of CDO & St. Benilde, Vince Oliva & Peter Delariarte of Iloilo, Ken Caballero of FEU, and Jethro Gapas of Bataan/Letran. Jamaica Sy of Caloocan, Lyr Leyva & Donna Gamilla of Manila and Richanda Ching of Quezon City/UP were there. So were Rose Fadol, Shamiela Pineda & Beverly Paulma of Bacolod/LOPTTA and Noriko Nisihino of St. Martin Academy/UP.

Photo courtesy of Jayson Jaquilmo

In the 15U events, the Philippines was represented by Nashspinner Ryan Rodney A. Jacolo of JOOLA/TATAND & National University, Jan Nayre of DONIC/Cebu, Francis Garganian & Joshua Castro of LOPTTA, Angel Sanchez of Pasig, Celine Ching of Quezon City, Emmy Dael & Angela Borbon of Bacolod/LOPTTA.

The Juniors were mentored by National Coaches Noel Gonzales (FEU/Letran), Lauro Crisostomo (DLSU), Johann Remaneses (TATAPHIL) and Lorie Wadjad (UST)

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Nashspinner Hits A Bronze

Photo courtesy of Jayson Jaquilmo
The Pinoy boys got the Bronze in the 15U Team Event. In the first Eliminations match, Nashspinner scored against each of the Singaporean top 15U bets Tay Ming Han Maxxe (3-1) and Loy Meng Hean Darren (3-1) but the Pinoy boys lost 2-3 in the team standing. Unfazed, our boys sprung back beating Laos, then booted out the Malaysians Chua Tzong Lin and Leong Chee Feng to earn a slot in the Semifinals.

Photo courtesy of Jayson Jaquilmo

The Philippines squared off with Thailand in the Semis. Nashspinner posted a 1-1 card but we came short in the team standing and settled for the Bronze. 

In other events, there were a couple of heartbreakers for Nashspinner in the Singles and Doubles events but, overall, it was still a good run for Nashspinner's maiden stint in International Table Tennis.

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Nashspinner Ryan Rodney A. Jacolo was fully supported in the 19th SEATTA by his Table Tennis patrons : JOOLA/TATAND's Mr. Philip Uy & Mr. Charlie Lim and Coaches Judit Yulde & Ramil Sta. Ana of National University.

Nashspinner Ryan Rodney Jacolo's campaign 

in the 19th SEATTA was powered by

JOOLA Rosskopf Force Carbon Blade
and JOOLA Rhyzm Rubbers

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More Pinoy Winners
Congratulations! Jan Nayre of Cebu City won the Bronze Medal in the Boys 15U Singles Event amidst the all-out cheering of his mentors Mr. Billy & Handel Yap of Cebu/DONIC.

Congratulations! Emmy Rose Dael and Angela Borbon of Bacolod won the Bronze Medal in the Girls 15U Doubles Event making proud their ever-present mentor, LOPTTA chief Dr. Diotay Lopue.

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Post-Tournament
The 19th SEATTA brought important experiences and lessons. Now its back to the drawing boards for 15-year old Nashspinner, like every athlete aspiring for a better performance in future engagements.

Nashspinner is now preparing for the UAAP Season 76 where he will be playing under his school team, NU Bulldogs.

TEAM JOOLA CHAMPION AT THE 2013 ANDRO CUP

2013 ANDRO CUP WINNERS MEN'S OPEN TEAM EVENT: 

Champion: TEAM JOOLA, 2nd Place: San Beda College, 

3rd Place: UST Growling Paddlers & AirWave TTC. 

Awards presented by TATAP founder Mr. S. Salvador.

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PHI — The 5th Andro Cup was held last July 6-7, 2013 at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy in Quezon City, Phils.

Organized by Table Tennis Association for National Development (TATAND), the event was participated by almost all Metro Manila Universities and Colleges, Table Tennis Clubs and provincial entries from Cavite and Bacolod.
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FINALS. Team Joola def. San Beda College in the Finals match of Men's Open Team Event to win the championship.

TEAM JOOLA (L-R): Homber Tiongson, Marcos De Jesus, Nashspinner Ryan Rodney A. Jacolo, Charlie Lim. Bottom: Mr: S. Salvador awarding the championship trophy.

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It was a race to the end with Team Joola prevailing 2-1 in team standings.

Match #1: Nashspinner scored against Z. Mendiola (3-2) in the first match. The key to that match was good blocking. Mendiola outplayed Nash in the first set, his FH crosses from the BH side connecting beautifully. The match turned, however, in the 2nd set when Nashspinner resorted to play his block against the 3rd ball attack... and successfully! Mendiola struggled with his 5th ball and committed a lot of errors.

In the 3rd and 4th sets, Nashspinner was making a living off his chop-block-couterattack routine. It was so effective that he was up 2-1 in the match and on led 10-4 in the 4th set. On the verge of a decisive victory, Nashspinner, dreadfully, launched a barrage of careless errors and one cant afford that against Mendiola! The venue erupted when Mendiola got a deuce and proceeded to tie the match at 2-2. The deciding match was a seesaw battle up to 9-9. But it was Nashspinner's service and he put the game away with 2 clever aces.
Team standing: TEAM JOOLA led 1-0.

Match #2: M. De Jesus (JOOLA) lost to J. Adaza (San Beda). Team standing: 1-1

Match #3: H. Tiongson (JOOLA) def. Vista (San Beda) in the deciding match. Team JOOLA won the championship 2-1. Tiongson was voted MVP of the tournament.

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SEMIFINALS. JOOLA def. UST Growling Paddlers (2-0)

Match #1: Nashspinner played a solid game against C. Abendan. Team standing: TEAM JOOLA led 1-0.

Match #2: H. Tiongson subjugated K. Garcia. Team standing: 2-0. Team JOOLA won and earned a slot in the Finals.

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QUARTERFINALS. JOOLA def. UE Warriors (2-0)

Match #1: M. De Jesus (JOOLA) did a behind-the-back victory against X. Ramos (UE). The U.E. Warrior led 2-0 when De Jesus' defense stabilized and Ramos suddenly started missing his follow up attacks. De Jesus was quick to fill the gap and exploded for 3 straight sets stealing the win from U.E.
Team standing: TEAM JOOLA led 1-0.

Match #2: Nashspinner (JOOLA) squared off against R. Malay (UE). Malay drew first blood taking the first set with superb blocking against Nash's FH cross totally unfazed by low, sharp balls to his FH side.

Nashspinner adjusted his FH attacks in the 2nd set. He switched to slow spinny loops. Malay had to step in and Nash bombarded him with heavy topspins while close to the table. The strategy worked. Match even at 1-1.

Malay was also a super looper who loves to eat heavy chops. Regaining confidence and with the momentum on his side, Nashspinner gave him the first loop and played his counterattack from the top. A lot of delightful FH-to-FH rallies happened throughout the match. Nashspinner gained advantage from several service aces and got away with a 3-1 win.
Team standing: 2-0. Team JOOLA won and will face UST in the Semis.

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NASHSPINNER is powered by JOOLA Rosskopf Force Carbon Blade

and the new JOOLA Rhyzm Rubbers

Team TATAND Piles Up Medals At The 23rd Binay Cup

PHI — The 23rd edition of Binay Cup, one of the largest Table Tennis tournaments in the Philippines, was held on June 15 -16, 2013 at the air-conditioned Makati Coliseum in Makati City, Phils.

Team TATAND again lorded it over the competition in almost all events.

Men's Open Event
Nashspinner Ryan Rodney A. Jacolo won the Silver Medal for Team TATAND. He posted 2 incredible from-behind-the-back wins** for the right to play in the Finals.

**Round of 16.
view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2DeEK6B3Js&feature=youtu.be

Nashspinner went up against the veteran looper/blocker Randy Lavendia who started fast on offense and whose FH crosses were connecting tremendously. The veteran demolished Nash with sharp close-to-the-table topspins and even closed the 2nd set with a vicious on-the-rise topspin counter against Nash's loop and led 2-0.

Always a step behind, and miserable, and down by 3 points in the 3rd set, Nashspinner's corner sued for time at 3-6 with Randy threatening a sweep. His adjustments was to play his balls long and low hoping to stop the damage Randy's topspins were doing from the inside. "Get him to play his loops and go over it!" was the urgent cry from Nash's corner.

Off the time-out, Nash got 3 straight points tying the game. It was like a drop of water to a drowning fish! The youngster got an opening and proceeded to take the set staying alive at 1-2. And despite a disputable call against him near the end, Nash managed to squeeze through the 4th set by a hair. The plan worked!

Never an easy set, the pressure was definitely on! The deciding 5th set was a seesaw battle, both players trading points up to deuce. Then Nash got in an FH winner off Randy's block taking the advantage and serving the next ball. He served short and flicked right, Randy took the ball to the left, and Nash answered with 2 BH crosses. That broke the veteran's defense and won the match.

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Quarterfinals. Next step up the ladder was TATAND teammate Homber Tiongson. It was always a slugfest between these two gentlemen.

One will really enjoy Table Tennis watching these two play. Both love to run and trade long swings from a distance. And from both wings too. It was high energy pingpong from start to finish with a lot of shouting... from in and out of the court.

Nash just got lucky in the endgame everytime and managed to run away with the win for a slot in the Semis.

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**Semifinals.
view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEKDW0tIQis&feature=youtu.be

TATAND teammate Japhet Adaza was waiting. The San Beda lefty star with his patented FH flicks and sidespins was quick to exploit chance balls in sets 1 & 2 and led 2-0. Nash was in again for a long match.

Trailing 0-4 in the 3rd set, Nash painstakingly inched his way back and won it 11-7 with a couple of endgame winners. His FH found its mark in the 4th and Japhet started committing too many mistakes costing him the set tying the match at 2-2.

Nash was struggling in the deciding set. Down at 3-6, his corner called a time-out. He came back engaging Japhet in an open running game and tied the set at 9-9. Nash was limping. Japhet asked for time. After the truce, Japhet made 2 consecutive errors handing the game to Nash at 11-9.

For the first time, the 15-year old TATAND bet had a shot at the Open Event Finals!

And then it happened! Leg cramps hit the young man's legs. Suddenly Nash was on the floor, shoes off, wincing in pain. His father/mentor by his side massaging his legs. Out of nowhere, TATAND's M. De Jesus produced a pouch of ice. Nash was led to TATAND's corner for a 10-minute rest for the Semifinals of the Non-rank Event but had to concede at 1-1 due to cramps.

The kid, however, was determined to play, even injured, in the Open Event Championship. He was given another 15-minute rest for his legs.

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Finals. Nash went to the Championship match with Salonpas on both hams. But as expected, he was routed by the rested and stronger I. Seronio of Dot.PH, who might not even have enjoyed the match at all. It was too easy. Nash was limping back, favoring his right leg, before the 1st set was over. One can not challenge Seronio without legs. The heart was still there but it was all that was left. Even with a 100% healthy legs, it would definitely have been an uphill climb, although it might have been a little more interesting. Nash settled with a Silver.

Overall, it was a good run for the youngster. Who knows, there might be a next time....


Men's Non-Rank Event

Nash was the defending champion. He played but had to concede the Semis match at 1-1 to teammate  Japhet Adaza (TATAND) due to the recurring leg cramps.

Nash took home a Bronze Medal in this event.


Girls 12U Event

In the Girls 12-Under Event, Janna Romero (TATAND) won the championship against UST's Trystal Cagande.

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Nashspinner's victories at the 23rd Binay Cup

was powered by Joola Rosskopf Force Carbon Blade 

and the New Joola Rhyzm Rubbers