DLSU’s Lariba, first ever table tennis Olympian from the PH
IAN “YAN-YAN” LARIBA. Table tennis athlete Lariba secures the last spot for the Olympic sport this 2016. Photo from www.ittf.com, via philstar.com
After beating Indonesia’s Lilis Indriani in the 2016 ITTF-Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament, Ian Lariba of De La Salle University now earns a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, making her the first Philippine Olympian for the said sport.
With scores, 11-6, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5, Lariba defeated Indriani last Saturday which made her secure the 11th and final seat in her event. It was in this do or die match where she swept off the best of 7 game, making her the first Filipino table tennis player since the sport was introduced in 1988 in South Korea.
She will be heading to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic along with Fil-Am trickster Eric Cray, Takwondo player Kirstie Alora, and boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez.
Lariba was also hailed as University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)’S two-time table tennis MVP.
It was also Lariba who led DLSU to win UAAP Season 78 league crown.
Source: sports.inquirer.net; cnnphilippines.com
