Future stars show stuff in Palms squash meet

Four of the country’s promising national squash players from the junior ranks showcase their wares in the first All-Star team competition at the Palms Country Club in Alabang on July 26.

David Pelino, Reggie Ebuenga, Jamaica Aribado and Ayssa Dalida were handpicked by veteran coach Edgar Balleber, a six-time Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist, to lead the four, eight-player teams in the tournament, which is the climax of the Palms’ “Squash Week” starting tomorrow.

Pelino, 15, heads a lineup that includes commercial model Raya Roa, fashion designer Patrice Diaz, J. C. Chavanon, Jovie Villar, Lito Zulaybar and Manuel Gamboa. Ebuenga, 14, anchors a team made up of former PBA cager Dino Aldeguer, Jun del Rosario, Manish Mhtani, Sonnie Aguilar, Arnout Tiere, Nanette Feliciano and Mike Garcia.

Aribado, 14, leads a squad composed of architect Gil Coscolluela, environmentalist photographer Gutsy Tuason, Dondi Verano, Luxasia general manager Mia Nolasco, Vic Bernardo, Lourdes Guerrero and Andrea Engelbrecht. Dalida, 16, joins runway model Gem Padilla, club champion Glenn Garcia, Sung Luk Lee, Nicky Camcam, Margot Garcia and Tony Pertierra.

Balleber and squash pro Rodan Banquilay will officiate the matches, which begin at 10 a.m.

The awarding program is set at 6 p.m. with Olympic lecturer Sanirose Orbeta and Dr. Jose Raul Canlas as special guests. Orbeta, a prominent sports nutritionist, will share her secrets on eating healthy, a balanced diet and fitness while Canlas, chairman of the basketball medical commission in the Beijing Olympics, will offer tips on getting and staying fit, protection from sports injuries and how to address sports injuries. They will deliver brief off-the-cuff remarks on their topics.

Members and their families are invited to listen to Orbeta and Canlas during the awarding rites next Saturday. Raffle prizes are in store for the audience.

Palms general manager Todd Bretzlaff and sports manager Shammy Hofilena are coordinating the event with squash committee members Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Verano, del Rosario, Lee and Quinito Henson.

Sponsors include Crocs, Harbour Centre, Adidas, San Miguel Corp., PLDT Smart, Thunder energy drink, Solar Sports, The Philippine STAR, Accel, Nike, New Balance, Burger King, Purefoods, Air21 and Collezione.

De Leon-Gonzalez, a member of the Squash Rackets Association of the Philippines board, said the tournament will feature a mix of national players, celebrities, guests and member players. “We hope to reintroduce squash as a sport for all,” said the fashion icon, who plays the game at least thrice a week. “It’s easy to learn and fun, too. It’s a sport where we can excel internationally. It’s also a sport where you can get a great cardio workout in a relatively short time. Above all, it’s a sport which you can enjoy with your friends and family.”

“Squash Week” at the Palms will offer free clinics. A reception desk at the lobby will show international squash matches on a TV monitor from 3 to 8 p.m., tomorrow up to Sunday, with posters detailing points of interest about the game on a backdrop simulating a court.

This Wednesday, Palms will host Makati Sports Club to start this year’s Interclub Championships. The Palms squash team is composed of Balleber, Banquilay, Oscar Genobiagon, Mhtani, Chavanon, Lee, Tiere, Henson, Verano and del Rosario with De Leon-Gonzalez as manager.