Kagay-Anon Ian Lariba Will Face Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico In Rio Olympics Opener Round

The pride of Mindanao and native from Cagayan de Oro and now student of De La Salle University Ian Lariba sounded excited that now she has a named opponent to prepare for.

“It’s better knowing who you’re up against,” she said.

Her opponent on opening day of the table tennis event that drew 86 entries each in the men’s and women’s side is Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico.

Diaz is only 15 turning 16 in October. But it doesn’t mean she can be pushed around because she’s ranked No. 80 in the world of women’s table tennis while Lariba is ranked No. 297.

Lariba is not at all clueless on her opponent, who won the gold in the 2014 Pan American Sports Festival, and currently ranked No. 9 among the top 20 junior (18 below) players.

Like Lariba, Diaz is the first athlete to represent her country in the table tennis competitions of the Summer Olympics. A lot is at stake in their match.

It takes place at 12 noon (11 p.m. in Manila) on Aug. 6 or the day after the opening ceremony where Lariba will carry the Philippine flag.