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Philippines, 13 May 2026 |
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ITTF banned TATAP, Seronio cries foul over TATAP ban By Robbie Pangilinan PhilBoxing.com Mon, 23 Aug 2010 Former national table tennis player Isaias Seronio was banned for life by the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (TATAP) for a severe violation during the World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) in Moscow last May. The ban took effect last August 1 and covers all sanctioned TATAP and International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) tournaments. TATAP Acting President Jose Ortalla Jr. said that Seronio and annual general meeting delegate, Jose Emmanuel Disini, did not pay their hotel accommodation, local transportation, meals, accreditation IDs and other expenses in Moscow, which amounted to more than two thousand euros. During Friday?s SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session, Seronio revealed his side of the story to clear his name and to plead for help. Before the Moscow trip, Seronio ranked second in the national selection for the competition. In need of international exposure to elevate his skills as a Filipino player, Seronio asked TATAP to include him in the upcoming WTTC. He was informed that he will shoulder all the expenses for the trip. He looked for a sponsor for the trip, knowing that TATAP lacks financial resources. TATAP also let him know that whoever will pay the $100 entry fee will decide who can play in the tourney. Seronio knew there was something wrong about this but he kept mum about it. Arriving in Moscow two days before the RP team, Seronio was ready as he has prepared and trained hard for the competition. Seronio chose to stay at a hotel with cheaper rates than the hotel host. He likewise personally paid the $100 entry fee which TATAP was supposed to pay before the delegation left the Philippines. He then found out that the Philippine players could not check in the hotel because TATAP had over 4,000 euros to pay ITTF based on the line-up submitted by TATAP beforehand. Seronio clarified if the players needed to pay for anything because they did not have enough money. ITTF said that TATAP will be the one to pay. After two days, ITTF looked for the head of the Philippine team to clarify the issue. When no one came, ITTF locked the rooms of the players, including those from other countries who also had problems with the payment. After pleading with the ITTF and with a warning note, the rooms were opened so that the players will have a place to stay. But, what really broke Seronio?s heart was that he was not able to play at the tournament, while the other players were very tired from playing. One player was even injured but Seronio still was not allowed to play. He learned that he was just an alternate. Seronio wished that TATAP cleared everything to him before the competition. When he asked if it?s his time to play, a TATAP official said that only a particular player will play because he paid for another player. ?Nakakabasag ng puso at lalo po akong nalungkot, parang gusto ko umiyak. Pera-pera na lang ba? (It was heartbreaking. I was sad and wanted to cry. Is at all about money?)? Seronio complained. ?Sana naman sinabi na lang sa akin kung ano plano nila beforehand para ready naman ako, Mukhang tanga ako nag-aantay kung kailan ako makalaro (I hope they just told me their plan beforehand so that I would have been ready. I looked like a fool waiting when I can play),? Seronio continued. ?Hangang kailan ang TATAP na ganyan (Until when will TATAP be like this)? Ang sisikat lang po ba (Will it be the) same player yesterday, today and forever? What about the next generation of table tennis players of the country?? Seronio asked during SCOOP?s session. TATAP has not released any official document about Seronio?s ban but it was posted in the website and the news has actually spread in the entire table tennis community. The ITTF has banned TATAP for its alleged non-payment of its bills so TATAP in turn banned Seronio and his sponsor. TATAP also has an unpaid balance from last year?s Japan Open. Seronio asked the board of directors to take action about the anomalies being committed by the acting president. He also asked the help of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee in investigating and solving this issue. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Robbie Pangilinan.  |
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