By: Angel E. Macapulay
Pictures by: Faith Acosta and Kristoff Rosario
On October 10, 2024, the Urdaneta City Private Schools Athletic Meet (UCPSAM) at Divine Word College of Urdaneta, Inc. saw intense competition as athletes from six schools vied for top honors in table tennis. Among the standout performers were the players from International Colleges for Excellence, Inc. (ICE), whose determination and strong performances left a lasting impact on the tournament.
In the Girls’ Singles A category, ICE’s Micah Lean B. Madolid faced tough challenges. Despite an initial loss to Mother Goose Special Science High School, she showcased her resilience by defeating Merryland Montessori and High School, Inc. in her second match. Madolid followed that up with a victory over Lyceum-Northwestern University (LNU), propelling her into the semi-finals. There, she avenged her earlier defeat by beating Mother Goose Special Science High School, earning herself a gold medal and a place in the Central Schools Division Athletic Meet (CSDAM).
In Girls’ Singles B, Madison B. Castillo delivered a dominant performance. She won her first match against Divine Word College of Urdaneta (DWCU), carried that momentum forward to defeat Lyceum-Northwestern University (LNU), and finished her day with another victory over Divine Word of College Urdaneta, Inc. (DWCU), securing another gold medal for International Colleges for Excellence, Inc. (ICE) and qualifying for the CSDAM.
The boys, however, faced a tougher road. John Rojie H. Flores, competing in Singles A, fought hard but was unable to overcome his opponents from Maranatha Christian Academy and Merryland Montessori and High School, Inc. On the other hand, Jiesher B. Antonio, in Singles B also faced stiff competition, falling to players from Divine Word of College Urdaneta, Inc. (DWCU) and Lyceum-Northwestern University (LNU).
In the Boys’ Doubles category, International Colleges for Excellence, Inc. (ICE) was represented by Bryan Ian Dela Cruz and Nicole John P. Jurada. The duo battled against teams from Merryland Montessori and High School, Inc. and Mother Goose Special Science High School. Though they didn’t claim the top spot, their teamwork and perseverance earned them a bronze medal, a significant achievement for both the pair and their school.
ICE’s success was greatly attributed to the leadership of their coach, Sir Adrian Kyle Balicocha. His commitment to the team was evident in their preparation and sportsmanship, helping the athletes grow both as players and individuals.
UCPSAM 2024 became a proving ground for ICE’s table tennis players, with Madolid and Castillo capturing gold and securing their places at the CSDAM. While the boys’ singles players faced strong competition, their efforts showed promise, and the bronze in doubles highlighted their potential for future success. With a focus on growth and continued achievement, the International Colleges for Excellence, Inc. (ICE) table tennis team looks poised for more victories in the tournaments ahead.
Their journey is just beginning, and the experiences gained at UCPSAM will fuel their drive for greater success on bigger stages.