Espeso shines in Quezon City ‘Palaro’

John David Espeso swept his group yesterday to lead four other Roxas netters into the round-of-16 in the table tennis event of the 1st Quezon City "Palarong Panglungsod sa Kabataan" at the Amoranto Sports Complex.

Espeso downed Isabelo Javier of Katipunan, John Jay Aquilar of Salvacion and Alfredo Laquite of Payatas to join teammates Allan Anthony Fabian, Rovinic Jan Dumlao and Paul Tuboro in the next round of the 18-and-under category.

Project 6, on its part, sent Jaypee Landicho, Jeffrey Bautista and Rodrigo Laureta to the next phase of this two-week event organized by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte and Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Also booking seats in the round-of-16 were Tristan Tan of Libis, Marlon Reyes and LA Johnson of Obrero, RJ Geronimo of Batasan, Fernando Cabalo of Kalusugan, Alfie Subaria of Pasong Tamo and Jed Garalde and Richard Penascolas of Bagong Pag-asa.

In taekwondo, about 250 athletes survived a gruelling opening day as they barge into today’s final round of one of the eight disciplines being played in this event participated in by more than 3,000 young Quezon City residents from the city’s 142 barangays and four districts.

Taekwondo tournament director Rocky Samson said over 500 jins battled it out yesterday with only half of the group advancing into today’s next phase where a total of 60 gold, 60 silver and 120 bronze medals are at stake.

The sports meet, done for the first time after nine years of absence, is being done to discover, tap and train athletes who have potentials to make it big in future national and international competitions.

As an added incentive, an academic scholarship will be awarded to the deserving athletes. – Joey Villar