Valle, Lariba top Binay Cup

MANILA, Philippines - National player Rodel Valle and Ian Lariba of De La Salle University outplayed their respective rivals to rule the 2011 Mayor Junjun Binay Cup fourth quarter national age-group singles championships last weekend at the Makati Coliseum.

Valle outclassed unfamiliar Zoren Mendiola of Table Tennis Association of North District, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, in the finals to win the men’s team open singles and get the P10,000 cash prize.

“I’m just tired because I played a lot of games tonight,” said Valle, who partnered with Richard Gonzales for the bronze in the last month’s Southeast Asian Games.

Lariba, 17, a former national player, whipped national player Crisanta Abas of Tatand, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8, to capture the women’s open crown in the two-day tournament organized by Makati City admistrator Marjorie De Veyra and national coach Gigi Aguinalde for the development of the sport.

Other champions were Sandra Bazar (women’s non-rank), Janine Dy (girls 17), Celine Vasquez (girls 14), Patrick Baylosis (boys 10), Jelly Joyce Dayrit (girls 10), Angel Sanchez (girls 12), Ryan Jacolo (boys 14), Ralph Arguelles (boys 12), Gil Ablanque (boys 17) and Nestror Ferre (men’s 50 above).