A Testament to Philippine Table Tennis Greatness: MGCNLCA Head Coach Ting Ledesma
The pandemic hit everyone hard and MGCNLCA's Table Tennis Varsity was not spared from its impact as the head coach resigned at the beginning of 2022. Thankfully, Coach Ting Ledesma came to the rescue to fill in the role of head coach.
Coach Ting has been MGCNLCA’s coach for the past two years, while serving as the head coach of Ateneo de Manila University’s team and the president of the Philippine Table Tennis Federation (PTTC). He first learned about MGCNL from his good friend Jerry Po Gue, a board member at PTTC, who invited him to coach at the school. Despite his busy schedule, Ledesma accepted the recommendation because out of all the other schools, MGCNL aligned with his personal mission the most – to positively impact as many individuals as possible by mentoring the new generation. Little did he know that this decision would be life-changing for both him and the team.
Over the past two years, he discovered that "MGCNL athletes are exceptional individuals, surpassing their peers in other schools. The unparalleled harmony, bond, and care they exhibit towards each other create an ideal learning and training environment. The team captains lead with immense dedication and proficiency.”
Under Coach Ting’s leadership, the team has grown more than ever. He hopes to see the MGCNLCA team compete in the prestigious Palarong Pambansa and even become part of the national team.
When he was young, Ledesma was obsessed with basketball. However, he was hesitant to pursue the sport as he realized the risks related to it, such as injuries that could stem from simple actions like dribbling the ball. Then one day, he explored his uncle's collection of table tennis paddles and became curious, prompting him to ask for one of the paddles. Along with the paddle, his uncle offered to teach him the basics of table tennis, from ball bouncing techniques to various practice drills exercises.
After a few years, he found that playing table tennis had several advantages over basketball. Unlike team sports, table tennis is an individual sport with no height or physical advantage. This leveled the playing field as the only deciding factors were experience and hard work. Ledesma said that the sport’s unique characteristics and advantages also improve hand-eye coordination and mental ability, making for a holistic workout. These reasons are why table tennis has become his "first love, which will never die."
Despite his love for the sport, external factors in his livelihood forced Ledesma to step away from pursuing a professional table tennis career. As a result, he resigned as a professional player and left behind a huge part of his life.
Years passed and when his son reached his teenage years, Ledesma returned to the sport as a coach, teaching him to master the skills and techniques. Noticing his son's interest and talent, he cultivated him to become a two-time UAAP MVP. His son also achieved a three-peat men's team championship in the UAAP and even earned himself a spot on the national team.
Ledesma's decision to become a coach became a transformative journey, allowing him to discover his passion for guiding and teaching others. Together with his son and other national coaches, Coach Ting now teaches other national team members. They all travel to various provinces to conduct free clinics to provide valuable training and donate table tennis equipment to those in need.
"This beautiful experience has cultivated a deep addiction within me - the addiction to helping others through sharing knowledge and experiences. Witnessing the growth and development of aspiring athletes brings immeasurable satisfaction, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their journey. Coaching has become my calling, allowing me to contribute to the sport that once defined me," Ledesma shared.
