THE BLUE Eagles concluded Day 6 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Men’s Table Tennis Tournament with a losing effort. The team bowed to the undefeated defending champions the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 0-3, and to the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 2-3, on Sunday, November 17, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City. The team currently sits at the bottom of the standings with a 1-11 overall record. 

Blue Eagle Mark Parman struggled in the opening match and was kept at an arm’s reach as UST’s Prince Garcia took the match in consecutive sets, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8. France De Asis was then dispatched by UST veteran Alvin Sevilla in the ensuing Singles match. Sevilla paced the Ateneo rookie’s offensive attacks and cruised through a straight set victory, 11-5, 11-3, 11-3. 

Deo Cuaresma and James Somontina then starred for the Blue and White in the Doubles encounter against their UST counterparts Reymark Mabuang and Mcleen Dizon. The Growling Tigers were immediately tested by the Blue Eagles in the first two sets of the match as it eventually went the way of UST, 11-7, 11-9. UST’s Mabuang and Dizon then created separation in the third set by dominating the Blue Eagles, 11-4, to win the team-tie for their team. 

In the afternoon contest against the UE Red Warriors, France De Asis dropped the First Singles match against UE counterpart Sandro Cortez and lost, 1-3. Senior Somontina suffered the same fate as he squared off against Red Warrior Justin Pacana only to lose in straight sets. With their backs against the wall, Blue Eagles Jamie De Asis and Carlo Chua stepped up to bag a competitive match win against Jomari Ingeniero and Kevin Muriel via a 3-2 decision. Still down 2-1 in the team-tie, Captain Parman then rode the momentum and swept UE paddler Kyle Lanzaderas to equalize the team-tie score. In the deciding match, Rookie Cuaresma was pitted against UE’s Kazer Guzman but the Blue Eagle eventually fell with a match score of 0-3, consequently handing the 3-2 team-tie victory to the Red Warriors. 

The final day of the UAAP Men’s Table Tennis tournament commences on Monday, November 18, at the Blue Eagle Gym, Quezon City. The Blue and White hope to finish their season on a high note against the De La Salle University Green Archers at 8:00 AM, followed by a matchup versus the Adamson University Soaring Falcons at 1:00 PM. 

Set scores (Ateneo-UST): Ateneo 0 UST 3

Set Scores (Ateneo-UE): Ateneo 2 UE 3