Lariba keeps the faith, thanks to coach

IAN “Yan-yan” Lariba sometimes loses faith, especially on a stage with some of the world’s best.

These are the critical moments when her Korean coach Kwon Mi Sook takes over and provides the psychological optimism.

“There were times that I doubted myself, but my coach always believed in me,” said Lariba.

Kwon’s faith in her propelled Lariba to become the first Filipino table tennis player in the Olympics since the racket sport made its debut in the 1988 Games held in Seoul, South Korea.

Lariba, the reigning UAAP MVP from De La Salle University, sealed a trip to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics after winning her final match in the recent 2016 ITTF-Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament in Hong Kong.

“In Rio, anybody can beat anybody,” said the graduating BS Management and Finance student. “Even the top players in the world lose in the Olympics.”

Lariba is planning to join  tournaments in Europe and Asia prior to the Rio Games on Aug. 5 to 21, aside from a month-long training in Korea to be monitored by Kwon, a silver medalist in the women’s team event of the 1989 World Table Tennis Championship.

“The timing was perfect,” said Lariba. “I reached my peak during the qualifier, so I guess it was meant to be.”