REIGNING CHAMPIONS UST Tiger Paddlers began their quest for five straight titles on a high note, claiming back-to-back wins in the UAAP Season 87 table tennis tournament opener on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
UST opened its campaign with a victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 3-1.
The Tiger Paddlers struggled early as Ray Manlapaz slipped to Falcon Joshua Lascano, 11-6,15-17,11-9, 9-11, 10-12.
UST’s Eljay Tormis, however, responded with a beatdown of Adamson’s Amiel Sumadsad, 11-6, 11-4, 11-8.
The UST duo of Cayl Chavez and Al Sanchez followed it up with a win over Manuel Apura and Jhon Balucos, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9, in
But it was none other than Season 85 MVP Alvin Sevilla who secured UST’s first win after taking out Amiel Aroma, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.
Later in the afternoon, the Tiger Paddlers swept their next-door-rival FEU Tamaraw Paddlers, 3-0.
After losing his first match, Manlapaz bounced back with a sweep over FEU’s Christian Golez, 11-5, 13-11, 12-10.
Meanwhile, Sevilla continued to set the tone by routing Arsenio De Guzman via sweep, 11-8, 11-6, 11-3.
The pair of Paul Antivo and Prince Garcia handled Tamaraw Paddlers Claer Ringo and Louis Sacay, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, to give UST its second victory.
Tiger Paddlers Coach Jackson Que mentioned that there’s always pressure to defend their title, but reminded the team to always stay grounded the moment they step onto the court.
“There’s pressure, but as always, when entering the arena, we always stay humble, we always stay grounded,” Que told The Flame.
In the women’s division, the UST Lady Paddlers also started their campaign with a win against the UP Women’s Table Tennis Varsity Team, 3-1.
Lady Paddler Janna Paculba drew first blood in the singles match by sweeping Angela Puentespina, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.
UST’s Althea Gudes followed suit with a sweep of her own against Vianne Depiedra, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9.
The España squad lost footing in its doubles match as Corrine Cartera and Kaye Encarnacion fell to the duo of Joyce Sadora and Ella Hicap, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 7-11, 8-11.
Encarnacion, however, delivered the winning blow for UST as she swept Althaea Salvador, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4.
Later on, the Lady Paddlers then defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 3-1.
Ateneo’s Kaela Aguilar outlasted Encarnacion in five sets, 5-11, 11-3, 8-11, 13-11, 4-11.
UST was quick to retaliate as Gudes bested Jelaine Monteclaro via sweep, 11-3, 11-5, 11-9.
In the doubles match, the pair of Kathlyn Gabisay and Leigh Erika Villanueva made easy pickings of Kathleene Bulaqueña and Elira Docto, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4.
UST secured its second victory after Paculba outmuscled Audrey Solis in straight sets, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9.
The UST Tiger and Lady Paddlers will look to maintain their flawless records as they return to action on Nov. 20, at the same venue. F – Joshua Louis Sumanghid
