THE UST Lady Paddlers fell short of capturing the UAAP women’s table tennis crown after losing to the defending champion FEU Lady Tamaraws, 1-3, in the Season 89 finals on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Gameville Central Park.
This marked UST’s second consecutive runner-up finish after also falling to FEU in Season 88.
“There will be a time for us to bounce back. For now, we’ll focus on the individual category,” Althea Jade Gudes told The Flame. “We will get stronger for the next season.”
Gudes gave UST an early point after overcoming a close opening set against Mikylla Therese Dinauanao, 11-8, before pulling away in the next two frames, 11-3, 11-2, to complete a straight-set victory.
However, Micah Tanate failed to secure another point for UST after losing to Chrishien Santillan in straight sets, 11-8, 11-5, 14-12.
In the doubles match, Janna Mae Paculba and Kaye Alliah Encarnacion took the opening set, 11-7, but dropped the next two sets, 11-5 and 11-6, against Cate Sarmiento and Krishna Reyes.
The duo of Paculba-Encarnacion forced a deciding set with an 11-8 fourth-set win but eventually fell, 11-8.
Kaye Denise Encarnacion also fell to Shairah Gabisay in straight sets, 12-10, 11-3, 11-7, despite keeping the opening set close before dropping the next two.
Earlier this morning, UST booked their finals berth after defeating the DLSU Lady Paddlers, 3-1, in the semifinals.
UST clinched a silver finish, while DLSU settled for bronze after defeating UP Fighting Maroons Paddlers, 3-0.
With the team event concluded, the Lady Paddlers will shift their focus to the individual tournament, which will run from Nov. 13 to 15 at the same venue. F
