THE UST Lady Paddlers capped their UAAP Season 89 women’s table tennis eliminations campaign with victories over the Ateneo Women’s Table Tennis Team and DLSU Lady Paddlers on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Gameville Central Park.
The back-to-back wins improved UST’s record to 5-1, securing its place in the Final Four.
The Lady Paddlers first swept Ateneo, 3-0, before outlasting DLSU, 3-2, in a closely contested afternoon match.
Althea Jade Gudes opened UST’s morning campaign with a 3-0 victory over Ateneo team captain Aizel Mae Rom, 11-8, 13-11, 11-7, before J-An Sanchez followed suit by sweeping Trisha Pachica, 11-8, 11-3, 11-5.
The doubles tandem of Janna Mae Paculba and team captain Kaye Alliah Encarnacion then sealed the sweep, outlasting Ateneo’s Aubrey Lyn Solis and Anna Sophia Fabregar in five sets, 10-12, 12-10, 11-3, 9-11, 11-8.
Against DLSU, Gudes gave UST an early lead after sweeping Lillian Margaret Ebora, 11-4, 11-7, 11-8.
However, DLSU leveled the tie after Angelou Joyce Laude defeated Micah Tanate, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8, while Leslie Faye Dizon handed Sanchez an 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8 loss.
The Paculba-Encarnacion duo regained the lead for UST with an 11-4, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7 doubles victory over Mariana Cello Caoile and Sharina Casandra Mendoza.
Keya Katrice Manada then clinched the team victory by defeating Kaira Agreda in four sets, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7.
The España-based squad look to secure the team event championship in the semi-finals and finals on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the same venue. F
