Tiger Paddlers maintain unblemished slate

UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Table Tennis Standings

Men's

UST 8-0

AdU 5-3

DLSU 5-3

Ateneo 5-3

UP 3-5

FEU 2-6

UE 0-8

Women's

UST 7-0

FEU 7-1

DLSU 5-3

Ateneo 3-5

AdU 2-6

UE 2-6

UP 1-7

Former MVPs Alvin Sevilla and John Michael Castro delivered in the clutch anew, rallying four-time defending champion University of Santo Tomas to a 3-2 escape of De La Salle University to remain undefeated in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Table Tennis Tournament on Friday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

The tandem of Andrei Villacruel and Peter Zambrano gave the Green Paddlers a 2-1 lead, but the national team upstart in Sevilla forced a decider with a 14-12, 11-4, 11-9 victory against Red Torres.

Reigning MVP Castro came alive to hand the finishing kick, overcoming Troy Docto, 11-5, 11-5, 12-10, to give UST a clean 7-0 slate.

Afterwards, the Tiger Paddlers trounced the UP Fighting Maroons with a swift 3-0 beating to extend their winning streak to 38 ties since Season 82 in 2019.

The Blue Eagles forced a three-way tie for second place with a 3-1 victory over the Soaring Falcons. They are joined by Adamson and La Salle for second place with identical 5-3 records.

While FEU bounced back with a 3-2 win over UE, the former still found themselves at seventh place in the standings with a 2-6 card. On the other hand, UE remained winless through eight outings in the tournament backed by Akari, Topscoms Marketing, and Hua Ching Foundation.

In the women’s division, the UST Lady Paddlers continued to keep in step with their men’s counterparts with an 8-0 card, solidifying their hold on first place in the seven-team league.

The duo of Kathlyn Gabisay and Leigh Villanueva was pivotal to UST’s unblemished record through eight games, delivering crucial victories against reigning champion La Salle and Season 86 runner-up Ateneo.

After a dominant singles match by Angel Laude that leveled the Lady Green Paddlers to 1-1, Gabisay and Villanueva responded with a slim 11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-8 win over Mariana Caoile and Shyrein Redoquerio that ultimately paved the way for the UST’s 3-1 victory.

Gabisay and Villanueva then finished off Ateneo with a 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-3 victory against Kathleene Bulaquena and Elira Doctor to maintain UST’s unblemished record.

With sweeps of UP and Adamson, FEU maintained second place with a 6-1 slate.

Despite the loss to UST, La Salle’s 3-1 beating of UE was enough for them to create separation for third place with a 5-3 record. They now enjoy a two-game cushion over Ateneo, who holds a 3-5 slate.

Adamson and UE share sixth place with identical 2-6 records, while UP remained at last place with a 1-7 card.

Second round play will resume tomorrow, still at the Homecourt in Ayala Malls Manila Bay at the same time.