MANILA – A former Palarong Pambansa table tennis standout from Western Visayas is set to suit up for University of Santo Tomas Tiger Paddlers in the UAAP Season 81.
John Michael Castro, a native of Bacolod City, looks forward to playing for the Tiger Paddlers, which aim to reclaim their lost throne in men’s table tennis.
“I’m looking forward sa championship talaga this season kasi kailangan naming makabawi and confident ako sa team namin na magagawa namin iyon kasi may training months pa naman kami kaya sure na ready na kami pagdating ng UAAP,” Castro told university student newspaper The Varsitarian.
Castro, who previously played for University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City and trained with the Bacolod-based Lopue’s Table Tennis Association, said he is still adjusting with the training at the UST.
“Talagang nanibago ako kasi mahirap iyong training dito, hindi katulad doon sa Bacolod. Mas quality talaga rito. Doon kasi sariling sikap lang,” he said.
“Madaming schools ang nag-offer ng scholarship pero malaking factor po na isa sa top schools sa Pilipinas iyong UST tapos maganda iyong mga binibigay nilang equipment sa mga athletes and maganda iyong training ng sports dito,” he added.
Castro, who also competed in international competitions such as the Southeast Asian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships last year, was discovered by the UST while representing Region 6 in Palarong Pambansa.
“Nakita namin na former national juniors team siya so malaking plus points iyon, and nakita ko na lagi siyang nag-e-excel,” Tiger Paddlers head coach Jackson Que said of Castro./PN
