Table tennis teen phenom Kheith Rhynne Cruz dominated the field composed of grizzled veterans to win the Women’s Open class title in the 10th Flexible Cup International Table Tennis Championships over the weekend at the Robinsons Mall in Novaliches, Quezon City.
Playing under the Joola Philippines, the 16-year-old Cruz, the youngest player to hold the no.1 ranking in the Philippine Women’s Team, proved she was a force to reckon with, beating Lee Xi Nin of Gold Medal Malaysia in a tightly fought championship duel, 2-1, to clinch the crown in the event sponsored by Flexible Packaging Products, Inc, and organized by the Table Tennis Association for National Development.
Long-time national member and Cruz’s teammate Rose Jean Fadol and Angel Joyce Laude of De La Salle University claimed runner-up honors in the tournament participated in by over 200 players from 30 teams.
“We’re really happy and proud of Kheith Rhynne’s performances throughout her young career since maisama namin siya sa TATAND program. From being a struggling junior campaigner and now the country’s no.1 player at the young age of 16, she has come a long way. We in TATAND are all out in supporting her quest to make it to Olympics, like her childhood idol Ian Lariba,” said Lim.
The TATAND chief likewise, shared the limelight as part of the Joola Philippines team, along with Cruz, Fadol, Joshua Manlapaz and World Championship campaigner John Russel Misala which claimed runner-up honor in thr Team Open class.
“For a decade, todo suporta sa table tennis ang Flexible, kaya kami sa ay talagang taos-puso ang pasasalamt, gayundin sa mga team na nakiisa sa atin,” added Lim.
Team Xiom Indonesia composed of Luki Purkani, Zahru Nailufar, Gusti Syaful and Yon Mardiyono defeated Sunsports Red Singapore, bannered by Josh Chua, Yin Jing Yuan, and Tay Jit Kiat and the UST-1, manned by John Michael Castro, Alvin Menard Sevilla, Eljey Dan Tormis at John Dayl Que.
In the men’s singles open, Dewa Prasetia, representing Toto Pol-Chawi Fishing, won the crown against Zahru Nailufar of Xiom Indonesia, Yin Jing Yuan of Sunsports Singapore and Yon Mardiyono ng Xiom Indonesia.
Rodel Valle of Golden Star topped the Veteran Singles’ 45-over class, beating Lauro Crisostomo of La Salle in the finals.
Philip Uy of Golden Star and Michael Dalumpines placed runner-up, while in the Executive Class, Engr. Jonathan Zaragoza of Semicon demolished Marcos De Jesus of Golden Star, Steven Rong of MSP and Hari Poernomo of Xiom Indonesia.