THE UST Tiger and Lady Paddlers inched closer to another crown as both teams continued their undefeated streak, clinching outright finals berths in the UAAP Season 87 table tennis tilt on Sunday, Nov. 24, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Both UST squads completed a 12-0 tournament sweep to fuel stepladder playoffs in their respective divisions.
The Tiger Paddlers beat the UE Red Warriors via sweep, 3-0.
UST’s Ray Manlapaz bested UE’s Miguel Panelo, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9, in the first singles match.
In the second singles game, Tiger Paddler JM Castro followed it up with a rout over Angelo Valiente, 11-7, 11-3, 11-8.
But it was the duo of Cayl Chavez and Al Sanchez that would seal the win for UST, outlasting Engelo Columna and Origenes in five sets, 11-2, 11-9, 10-12, 12-10.
Later on, the Tiger Paddlers continued to show their prowess as they swept their rivals FEU Tamaraw Paddlers.
Manlapaz maintained his momentum with a win over Tamaraw Paddler Peter Cubio, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9.
UST’s Eljay Tormis continued to set the tone, pounding FEU’s Louis Sacay, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8.
The pair of Abraham Antivo and Prince Garcia sealed the victory for UST after taking out Kyran Javier and Delfin Lara in straight sets, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5.
“It feels good because all of our players got to perform, even our rookies,” UST head coach Jackson Que told The Flame.
On the women’s side, the Lady Paddlers dispatched the UP Women’s Table Tennis Varsity Team via a 3-0 sweep.
UST’s Althea Gudes drew first blood in the singles match, mopping Joyce Sadora, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4.
Lady Paddler Janna Paculba then survived Althaea Salvador in five sets, 11-8, 5-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-3.
The Espana-based pair of Corinne Cartera and Kathlyn Gabisay delivered the winning blow over Ella Hicap and Rea Rusiana, 11-5, 11-5, 8-11, 11-3.
Later in the afternoon, the Lady Paddlers continued their winning ways by taking down the UE Lady Warriors in three matches.
Gudes kicked off the afternoon game with a sweep against UE’s Rosean Porras, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4.
UST’s Kaye Encarnacion concluded the singles matches with a sweep of her own, besting Maorielle Nicolas, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6.
It was Lady Paddlers Gabisay and Leigh Villanueva who secured the win, defeating Jean Ramos and Ainsley Ramos in three sets, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7.
“For now, we do not know yet who’s number two, but tomorrow we will come early to watch and to see who we can prepare ourselves for,” Lady Paddlers head coach Lorinda Wadjad told The Flame.
The semifinals will begin on Monday, Nov. 25, at the same venue. F – Joshua Louis Sumanghid with reports from Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
