Philippine table tennis has a definitive golden era, and it is impossible to speak of it without honoring its brightest star: Ian “Yanyan” Lariba. A fierce competitor, a historic trailblazer, and a symbol of pure resilience, Lariba did not just play the sport—she elevated it to the national stage.
The Undefeated Queen of the UAAP
Lariba’s dominance began at the collegiate level, where she donned the green and white for De La Salle University. Her five-year tenure in the UAAP is the stuff of absolute legend: she went entirely undefeated.
Carrying her team on her shoulders, she captured three UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards (Seasons 75, 77, and 78) and twice earned the prestigious UAAP Athlete of the Year honors. She didn’t just win; she set a standard of excellence that may never be replicated.
Taking the Philippines to the World Stage
Lariba’s brilliance quickly outgrew domestic borders. In 2014, she spearheaded the Philippine national women’s squad to a spectacular first-place finish in Division 4 of the World Table Tennis Team Championships in Tokyo, proving that Filipino paddlers could smash through international ceilings.
Two years later, she achieved the ultimate dream. By securing a spot at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Lariba became the first-ever Filipino table tennis player to qualify for the Games. Recognizing her immense impact and inspiring journey, the Philippine contingent bestowed upon her the ultimate honor: carrying the national flag during the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
A Legend Gone Too Soon
The sports world was devastated when, just a year after her Olympic milestone, Lariba was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She fought the illness with the same ferocious grace and quiet dignity that defined her play on the court. On September 2, 2018, at just 23 years old, Yanyan passed away.
“She proved that the Filipino athlete can stand tall among the world’s elite.”
Though her time was tragically short, Ian Lariba’s legacy remains immortal. She entered the arena as a young girl from Cagayan de Oro, conquered the UAAP, carried the flag on the world’s biggest stage, and left us as an undisputed legend of Philippine sports.