BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo-It's a golden day for Table Tennis Men's Singles B of the Northern Iloilo State University's (NISU) Blue Marlins after hauling the gold home against Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) at Iloilo Sports Complex on December 17.

 

Sweeping all victories in a 3-0 score, Joshua Barrido of Blue Marlins ended the National State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (NSCUAA) dream of Technobees after bagging the gold to the north.

 

During the battle for gold, the first set showcased Barrido's resilience as they battled back from a tight scoreline, ultimately clinching the set with a narrow two-point margin, 13-11.

 

In the second set, Barrido employed a powerful performance, securing a smooth 11-6 score against Technobees.

 

Barrido, with his dream of becoming a national qualifier, maintained composure and executed precise shots, sealing the match with an 11-8 finish.

In an exclusive interview with Barrido, he emphasized the crucial role of discipline for athletes, both in and out of court, underscoring this as one of the key factors in clinching gold medals.

 

"Every athlete should embody discipline. It is important to have this if you are aiming for a gold finish. Listen to your coach—their guidance is invaluable," said Barrido in vernacular language.

 

Moreover, he also encouraged student-athletes to approach their training with utmost seriousness, emphasizing that every point scored on the court is crucial and can make a significant difference in their performance.

 

"Every score matters. Make sure to identify where you went wrong is crucial. Learn from these mistakes and avoid repeating those errors in your game," he added.

 

On the other hand, Coach Richard Jardenil shared some words about the plans for the preparation of Barrido as he competes for the national tournament.

 

"We will be conducting rigid practice. We will try to reach out and conduct practice games with other high-level athletes in table tennis, such as palarong pambansa players and PRISAA athletes, to enhance the holistic development of our players," said Jardenil.