PR table tennis squads advance and add to medal tally in Asunción

By The Star Staff

Puerto Rico’’s table tennis delegation added two more medals at the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025, bringing their total haul to seven.

In the group stage, the women’s team went undefeated with a perfect 3-0 record, topping Group C after sweeping the Dominican Republic, 3-0. Kristal Meléndez defeated Dafne Sosa (3-0), Edmarie León took down Arianna Estrella (3-0), and the Puerto Rican doubles team closed the series with another straight-sets victory.

On the men’s side, Puerto Rico dominated Saint Lucia, 3-0, also finishing the group phase unbeaten at 3-0 to claim first place in Group B. Enrique Ríos beat Manie Eleuthere (3-0), Steven Moreno overpowered Joshua Lubin (3-0), and the doubles duo sealed the sweep with a three-set win.

In the quarterfinals, the women’s team continued their momentum with a hard-fought victory over Canada. León opened with a 3-1 triumph against Natalie Chan, followed by a narrow loss from Meléndez, who fell in five sets to Jessie Xu. Puerto Rico regained the lead with a doubles win in four sets, and León clinched the series with a commanding straight-sets victory. With the result, Puerto Rico advanced to the semifinals, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal. They will face the United States tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. (PUR time).

The men’s squad also secured its semifinal spot with a 3-0 sweep over Argentina. Ríos edged Nicolás Callaba in a tight five-set battle, Moreno defeated Tomás Alín in four sets, and the Puerto Rican doubles pair completed the sweep with a four-set win. Puerto Rico advanced to the semifinals and secured a medal, with their next opponent to be decided tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. (PUR time).

With these two additional podium finishes, table tennis raises Puerto Rico’s total medal count to seven at Asunción 2025.