US bet tops Table Tennis Academy tournament

MANILA, Philippines - American champion Daniel Picciotto brandished his superb skills before a huge crowd of youngsters when he ruled the NRG Philippine Table Tennis Academy Tournament recently in Mandaluyong.

The 2011 New York Open and 2012 Easter Open champion overcame Miho Tolopia of Captains Table Tennis, 3-1, in the finals of the academy meet which aims to provide high-performance training on the grassroots level and produce world-class paddlers.

“A gold medal is never won alone. My teammates, coach and supporters are all part of my victories,” said Picciotto, a singles bronze medalist in the highly competitive Maccabiah Games in Israel and doubles champion in the 2011 Western Open.

Prior to the tournament, Picciotto spent his time coaching kids in the PTTA, the first formal table tennis school in the country.

“It’s important to be as prepared as possible for every tournament,” said Picciotto. “These kids are the future and it takes a lot of practice and dedication for them to succeed.”

The target of the PTTA is to develop raw talent in the 6-10 years old age group through cutting-edge training programs, instruction and guidance from local and international trainers and coaches.

 The PTTA is the brainchild of Jon Ebuen, one of the most sought-after coaches and ranks among the top 10 players in the US.

Ebuen said the PTTA will be the center of excellence for the sport in the country as it aims to elevate table tennis as a sport of choice for Filipinos and enable the youth to become at par with the world’s best.