THE ATENEO Men’s Table Tennis Team (AMTTT) had a varied outing in the opening day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), tallying 3-0, 3-0, 1-3. The contests took place earlier today at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.

Despite victories against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors and the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Paddlers, the Blue Eagles struggled to overcome the currently undefeated Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws. These games resulted in a 2-1 record for the Blue Eagles, placing them at third overall in the standings.

8:00 AM match vs. UE 

Kicking off their campaign was veteran Kong Cabrido. In a dominant display, the Blue Eagle conquered Red Warrior Vincent Origenes in straight sets, 11-5, 11-3, 11-7. 

From the wily veteran, rookie sensation Emmanuel Yamson then rose to the occasion against Kurt Villarico. Beginning his UAAP career on the right foot, Yamson took an emphatic victory in three hard-fought sets, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7.

Uniting for one deciding set, Blue Eagles Wrency Abad and Zherdel Fresco teamed up to take on UE’s John Alcantara and Miguel Panelo. In a game of fine margins, the Katipunan-based squad went away with the victory after five enthralling sets, 11-8, 11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6.

1:30 PM match vs. DLSU

Fresh from their promising victory, Rod Garcia squared up against La Salle’s Red Torres. Despite engaging in an early back-and-forth tussle, Garcia dominated the latter frames, outlasting his opponent in four sets, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 13-11.

Continuing his stellar debut, Yamson dispatched Green Paddler Dino Marcelo in three swift sets, 13-11, 11-4, 11-4.

Determined to replicate their teammates’ success, Fresco and Abad faced La Salle’s Joseph Noriega and Dave Saluna. Finding their rhythm early, the Atenean duo leveraged their undeniable chemistry to produce a brilliant performance that grabbed the Blue Eagles’ second victory of the season, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10.

4:00 PM match vs. FEU

Putting their two-game win streak on the line, Andrew Uy faced FEU’s Arsenio De Guzman. To build on his sensational play, Ateneo’s team captain seized control of the opening two frames, 11-5, 11-9. However, Uy soon found himself unable to rival De Guzman’s attacks, 8-11, 8-11, 9-11, surrendering the opening bout to FEU.

Augustus Mendez then followed with another tough loss, dropping his fast-paced encounter against Tamaraw Dane Dunstan in straight sets, 5-11, 11-13, 10-12.

Determined to inject life into Ateneo’s waning confidence, the rookie tandem of Carlos Docto and Yamson produced a masterful performance to take down the FEU pairing of Claer Riego and Louis Sacay, 11-7, 11-7, 11-3.

With the game on the line, Garcia faced Tamaraw Christian Golez in a high-stakes bout. Despite taking the third set, the Blue Eagle fell victim to his adversary’s table brilliance, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, resulting in Ateneo’s first loss of the season.

Aiming to sweep through the first round of competition, the Blue Eagles will be back in action tomorrow, November 16, at 8:00 AM in the same venue.

Men’s Standings (W-L):

UP Fighting Maroons (0-4)

FEU Tamaraws (4-0)

UST Tiger Paddlers (3-0)

ATENEO Blue Eagles (2-1)

DLSU Green Paddlers (2-1)

AdU Soaring Falcons (1-2)

UE Red Warriors (0-4)