RAMPING UP in form, the Ateneo Table Tennis Teams emerged undefeated on the final day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) eliminations, as both squads qualified for the postseason with flying colors. The contests took place earlier today at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Pasay City.
The Ateneo Women’s Table Tennis Team (AWTTT) delivered their best performing day in the season, outlasting the Far Eastern (FEU) Tamaraw Paddlers, 3-2, and sweeping the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 3-0. The sequence of results earned them a spot in the playoffs as the fourth seed with a 6-6 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s Division, the Ateneo Men’s Table Tennis Team (AMTTT) decisively defeated rival school De La Salle (DLSU) University Green Paddlers, 3-1, securing an early spot in the Final Four. This accomplishment was immediately followed by Ateneo’s impressive 3-1 win over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, putting the Blue and White in second place with an 8-4 record heading into their Final Four bout.
Men’s Table Tennis
8:00 AM match vs. DLSU
Early into the first singles match, seasoned veteran Kong Cabrido quickly raced to a 2-0 set advantage, trumping Green Paddler Dino Marcelo with every attack, 11-6, 12-10. Despite dropping the third set by a hair, 8-11, Cabrido pressed on with his spins and secured a narrow 11-9 victory in the fourth frame to clinch Ateneo’s first team-tie point, 1-0.
The morning festivities continued through Team Captain Andrew Uy’s singles match against Elijah Yamson. The Atenean skipper struggled to find an edge throughout the entire bout against the Green Paddler, dropping three sets in devastating fashion, 8-11, 5-11, 3-11.
Following the shocking loss, the trusted pairing of France De Asis and Drozle Fresco faced off against Andrei Villacruel and Peter Zambrano in the first doubles match. It did not take long for the two Ateneans to sweep DLSU with ease, 11-2, 11-5, 12-10, as the Blue and White quickly surged into match point, 2-1.
Entrusted with sealing the win, reigning Rookie of the Year Andree Garcia readied his paddle and challenged DLSU’s Troy Docto. The nature of the battle transformed into a thrilling clash between offense and defense with Garcia leading by two sets, 11-8, 11-9.
Even with the setbacks, Docto frequently fired off flashing drives and loops against the Atenean sophomore, which helped him claim the third set, 12-10. However, Garcia methodically slowed down the Green Paddler’s attacks with precise chops, waiting for the perfect time to smash for a postseason-clinching AMTTT victory, 14-12.
2:00 PM match vs. UE
Blue Eagle Wrency Abad entered the first match against the Red Warriors with a determination to generate further momentum. Abad proved successful with his intentions as he soared past UE’s Matt Aguirre by claiming all three sets. Despite the close second set win at 12-10, Abad increased the intensity and overpowered Aguirre with an impressive 11-4 third set win to claim the team’s first team-tie point against UE.
The second singles match against UE contrasted the first as Atenean Anton Gabi struggled to get through Kurt Villarico. Gabi’s missed shots led to Villarico taking the match in three sets and tying the team-tie score to 1-1.
De Asis and Fresco stepped into the spotlight once again as they stood on the court for Ateneo’s last doubles match of the day. The tandem left no room for errors as they quickly clinched three sets against UE’s Legaspi and Panelo, 11-3, 11-4, 11-4.
Cabrido took flight once more to close the regular season, holding off Red Warrior Johnster Rosales in the first two sets with identical outcomes, 14-12, 14-12. Undeterred by UE’s intense hunger to win, Cabrido managed to claim a dominant third set, 11-4, and clinch Ateneo’s last team-tie point.
Women’s Table Tennis
8:00 AM match vs FEU
Soaring high with their momentum from yesterday’s matches, the Katipunan-based squad entered their faceoff against the FEU Tamaraw Paddlers with newfound confidence. However, this swagger was quickly snapped when Aubrey Solis fell against Aizel Rom, 4-11, 5-11, 11-7. The Tamaraw Paddler showcased unmitigated aggression on the table, overpowering the rookie with her powerful spins.
Determined to settle the score for her fellow rookie, Jelai Jover glided past Ashly Sobrevilla in a dominating 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 victory, precisely countering every one of the FEU paddler’s moves. With the win, the freshman sensation’s victory dragged the match back to a 1-1 team-tie score.
In the first doubles match, Kaela Aguilar and Celeen Docto withstood a five-set thriller against FEU’s Glieza Ampalid and Krisha Reyes, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9. The duo’s performance was a combination of quick thinking and highly synergistic moves that ultimately handed Ateneo their second team-tie point of the bout.
Looking to keep Ateneo alive in the team matchup, UAAP Season 86’s ROY Jelaine Monteclaro engaged in battle with Tamaraw Paddler Shairah Gabisay. To Monteclaro’s chagrin, Gabisay cruised through the match, 11-4 11-7 11-5, forcing a fifth-game decider.
After grabbing the baton, Kath Bulaqueña aimed to carry her teammates over the hump by taking down FEU’s Julianah Mosuelo. The team captain’s imposing presence instantaneously chilled the table as she countered the Tamaraw Paddlers’ drives with explosive swings. Bulaqueña’s electrifying performance resulted in an 11-3, 11-3, 11-7 sweep to secure AWTTT’s morning win, 3-1.
11:00 AM match vs UE
Continuing their winning flow in today’s second game, Aguilar charged at the Red Warriors by dismantling UE’s Gem Nonan, easily claiming all three sets, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2.
The final singles game saw no difference as Monteclaro neutralized UE’s Danica Galang, with the Atenean capitalizing on her foe’s mistakes and striking at every opportunity with a steady and calm playstyle, 2-0.
The final doubles game of the regular season featured Bulaqueña and Docto facing off against the Recto-based squad’s Maorielle Nicolas and Nelly Baroro. The Blue and White smoothly took the first set with no difficulties.
However, the Red and White pair were motivated to avenge their team’s previous two losses as they claimed the second set. Despite this aggression from the UE duo, the Loyola-based squad maintained their composure and amped up the pressure by dominating the next two sets to claim a 3-0 team-tie score and a Final Four berth.
Seeking to draw closer to their first-ever respective gold medals, both squads will face their semifinal opponents tomorrow, November 25, starting at 8:00 AM in the same venue.
Men’s Standings (W-L):
- UST Tiger Paddlers (12-0)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (8-4)
- DLSU Green Paddlers (8-4)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (7-5)
- UP Fighting Maroons (5-7)
- FEU Tamaraw Paddlers (2-10)
- UE Red Warriors (0-12)
Women’s Standings (W-L):
- UST Lady Paddlers (12-0)
- FEU Tamaraw Paddlers (9-3)
- DLSU Lady Paddlers (7-5)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (6-6)
- UE Red Warriors (3-9)
- UP Fighting Maroons (3-9)
