THE UST Tiger Paddlers extended their championship reign after defeating the UP Fighting Maroons Paddlers, 3-0, to defend their UAAP men’s table tennis title in the Season 89 finals on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Gameville Central Park.
The victory capped UST’s undefeated campaign since Season 82, as the Tiger Paddlers completed the tournament with a perfect record after defeating DLSU, 3-0, in the semi-finals the morning prior.
UST’s Eljey Tormis set the tone by dominating the opening singles match, sweeping UP’s Jad Daniel Sandoval, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3.
Jebb Jerwin Datahan overcame a neck-to-neck battle from UP’s Stephen Gabriel Llemit to take the first two sets, both ending 11-7, before dominating the third, 11-1, to secure UST’s second point.
The Tiger tandem of Abraham Paul Antivo and Gerald Aguilar sealed UST’s sweep after taking control early in the first two sets, both ending at 11-3.
UP’s Benzdio Florida and Mark Manuel Aguilar tried to push back in the third set, bringing the score close at 8-all, but the España-based duo pulled away with three straight points to close out the match, 11-8.
“It’s my last playing year, so I really gave it my all,” Tormis told The Flame in a post-game interview.
The UP Fighting Maroons clinched silver, while the Ateneo Blue Eagles settled for bronze after defeating the DLSU Green Paddlers 3-1.
With the team event concluded, the Tiger Paddlers will proceed to the individual tournament, which will run from November 13 to 15 at the same venue. F
