By Carlos Leano, Oct. 18, 2022
On Oct. 14, table-tennis players across the campus community gathered at the BRIC for a tournament hosted by ASI Campus Recreation.
Competitive sports manager, DJ Netherly, emphasized the importance of having nontraditional sport tournaments hosted at the BRIC.
“All these individuals coming from different walks of life here to enjoy a sport they all have the same passion for — I feel like that’s amazing and a beautiful sight to see,” said Netherly. “It’s great to be that outlet for these students to take a break from their normal day-to-day life.”
Eight contestants competed in best of three series, where a score of 11 determined the winner of each set in the double elimination bracket. Serves alternated sides every two points, and sides were switched after every set, giving contestants an equal playing field.
Computer science student and tournament champion Matthew Baldivino weighed in on his performance at the event.
Baldivino said that his performance was “pretty good,” but all the competitors were club members that play against each other frequently.
Baldivino mentioned that his nerves were still there prior to the tournament, but they slowly faded as he progressed through the bracket.
Early in the tournament, Baldivino lost only one series and that was to fellow club member Julie Liu.
They found themselves playing each other again later in the championship series. With fast-paced exchanges, Baldivino avenged his only loss and won the series — crowning him the table-tennis champion.
Baldivino serves as the table-tennis club’s scheduler, who makes meeting reservations and sends out forms if they go off campus to play.
Loay Abushaban, electrical engineering student and president of the table-tennis club, recapped his time and what he learned during the tournament.
“I won two games, and it felt great,” said Abushaban. “It was a good idea to have a tournament set up by ASI. I also plan on doing the same thing with my table-tennis club.”
Abushaban enjoys meeting new people from the community and playing against new styles. One of his favorite pastimes is refining his skills and seeing how he compares to other competitive players with each tournament he participates in.
Cal Poly Pomona’s club advancement was halted due to the pandemic, but Abushaban is hoping to progress the program.
With over 120 members, he encourages new students of any skill level to come out and participate in the club. All are welcome to join for competition, friendly games or practice.
The club offers a place for both skilled and casual players. Three tables are set up at their meetings: one for games, one for practicing and one for learning. They also have one of their more skilled members serving as an unofficial coach, teaching new players techniques to become better at the sport.
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the club meets in court 1 inside the BRIC while their club Discord schedules regular meetings.
Abushaban also noted a scrimmage against Cal State University Northridge is currently in the works.
He mentioned the skill gap between CPP and CSU Northridge is very wide, with CSU Northridge having top ranked players and actively competing in the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association.
Intramural leagues are also offered with the usual slate of sports including volleyball, soccer, flag football and basketball with a new sport being added to the mix this semester.
“This is our first time offering dodgeball as a league,” said Netherly. “Before, it was a tournament, so we’re excited that there was enough interest to make it a league.”
ASI holds tournaments every Friday with the next one on October 28, featuring billiards in the games room.
For more information about ASI’s leagues or event and tournament schedule, visit their website.
To learn more about the club, check out their Instagram @cpptabletennis.
Feature image by Carlos Leano