Student-athletes from the National Academy of Sports (NAS) shone on the international stage, clinching gold in the Under-13 Boys Doubles event at the 2024 US Open Table Tennis Championships. Grade 7 Khevine Khieth Cruz from Tondo, Manila, and Grade 8 Liam Zion Cabalu from Quezon stood atop the podium after their remarkable performance.

The prestigious tournament, held in Las Vegas, featured over 1,500 athletes from 42 states and 19 countries. NAS also celebrated strong showings from other athletes:
🏓 Ghianne Cordova (Grade 10, Bacolod City) and Angel Nueva (Grade 10, Gamay, Northern Samar) reached the quarterfinals in the U17 Girls Doubles.
🏓 Alexa Gan (Grade 7, Pasig City) and Maria Angelli Cruz (Grade 8, Pulilan, Bulacan) advanced to the Top 16 in the U15 Girls Doubles.

“These victories highlight the exceptional talent and training of NAS athletes under the guidance of their coaches. Competing against the best, they demonstrated they belong on the international stage,” said NAS Executive Director Josephine Joy B. Reyes.

The National Academy of Sports, established through Republic Act 11470 and championed by Senator Pia Cayetano, integrates quality secondary education with specialized sports training.

“This achievement reflects the vision of nurturing young Filipino athletes in an environment where they can excel,” said Senator Cayetano. “It’s especially meaningful as this is NAS’s first participation in an international tournament—a milestone worth celebrating.”

The NAS athletes’ triumph at the US Open marks a promising start for the academy’s mission to develop world-class Filipino sports champions.