ABU DHABI — A pair of Dubai-based overseas Filipino workers dominated the table tennis court Thursday, securing a gold medal in the men’s doubles 45+ category at the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026.
John Suico and David Lo completed a flawless run at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, defeating two separate teams from India with back-to-back 3-0 sweeps in the semifinals and finals.
Suico, a former varsity player for St. Mary’s College in Davao and a veteran coach, credited the victory to a surge of local support.
“We’re very happy to win the gold medal,” Suico said. “The support of the Filipino community here is overwhelming.”
The victory marks a personal milestone for Lo, who returned to the sport in 2022 after a 24-year hiatus. Lo said he was inspired to pick up a paddle again by his 12-year-old son, Zach, who has become a competitive champion in his own right, winning tournaments as far away as the United States.
“When he improved, he began teaching me, too,” Lo said. “It is the other way around now; he’s the better one.”
Lo stated he plans to bring his son to the Philippines this April to compete in local tournaments, expressing hope that the youth might one day represent the Philippine national team. “That is my ultimate dream — that he would be able to bring our country honor,” he said.
The duo’s success may soon turn into a friendly rivalry. Both Suico and Lo have advanced to the quarterfinals of the men’s singles 45+ division, scheduled for Friday.
“We might also face each other in the finals,” Lo joked, drawing a laugh from his partner.
The Philippine delegation saw further success in the men’s doubles 30+ division, where Jeremiah Manalastas and Darryl Padilla secured a bronze medal. Manalastas, who is based in Abu Dhabi, is also slated to compete in the singles 40+ category later this week.
The Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi continues through the weekend, featuring veteran athletes from across the globe in various age-restricted classifications.
