PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — The Philippine table tennis team will have a good mix of youth and experience in the Southeast Asian Games here at the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
Richard Gonzales, who’s been competing for the national squad as early as the 1995 edition in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is still making a push and providing the veteran presence for the squad.
At 52, Gonzales is considered as Philippine table tennis’ version of a living legend and his longevity and durability caught the fancy of Cambodian Socheat Heng, his former counterpart.
Socheat is now working as Cambodia’s resident umpire and was surprised to see Gonzales, a retired Army personnel, still actively competing.
According to Socheat, he went up against Gonzales in the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
‘I maintain discipline, take care of my body.’
But there’s no slowing down Gonzales, who continues to play the game he loves.
“I maintain discipline, take care of my body,” Gonzales said. “I go to bed early. I’m here to compete as long as my body can take it. I listen to my body and I feel I can still compete.”
In the previous edition of the SEA Games in Hanoi, Gonzales captured a silver medal while paired with John Russel Misal, but fell short against the powerhouse pair of Clarence Chew and Ethan Pow of Singapore.
Apart from Gonzales, there is also hope in 16-year-old Kheith Rhynne Cruz, the country’s No.1 women’s player.
Cruz will be appearing in her third SEA Games at a very young age.
She was 12 when she first competed in Manila and believes she has racked up more experience that will help her ramp up her game.
“If in the Philippines I can be No.1, then it’s not a far-fetch reality that I can excel in international competitions,” Cruz said.
Cruz has learned her lessons competing in her first two editions of the SEA Games.
“I always fell short, always in the top eight, but couldn’t crack the medal round,” she said.
“Until your preparations aren’t complete, you won’t make it to the medal round.”
Speaking about medal, the national table tennis team has set a modest goal in the ongoing biennial meet.
“We’re targeting at least a gold and hopefully, our women’s team can also win a medal,” Philippine Table Tennis Federation president Ting Ledesma said.
Head coach Lauro Crisostomo, on the other hand, is trying to temper their expectations and is eyeing three medals regardless of color.
