UST Paddlers settle for twin silvers

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THE UST Tiger Paddlers failed to protect their title against powerhouse National University (NU) while the Lady Paddlers fell short anew against rival De La Salle University in the do-or-die Game 3 of the UAAP Season 80 table tennis tournament at the UP College of Human Kinetics gym last Oct. 9.

UST trailed Game 3, 1-2, before Bulldog CJ Carrasco pummeled Tiger Paddler Nico Nayre, 8-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9, to seal NU’s first championship.

Earlier, both teams went down the wire after respective 3-2 victories in Games 1 and 2.

“Actually, tiwala pa rin ako kay Nayre na tatalunin niya `yung kalaban kasi lamang na lamang tayo doon. Siguro hindi lang talaga para sa atin this season,” UST men’s team head coach Jackson Que told the Varsitarian.

Que said the absence of veteran Rian Maldia in Game 3 because of sudden dizziness took a toll on the team.

Maldia, who was supposed to be the team captain this year, has lymphoma and is undergoing medication.

The Tiger Paddlers ended the eliminations with a 13-1 win-loss record en route the top seed. Their lone defeat came against NU, 0-3, in the tournament opener last Sept. 23.

“The whole team did very well and I’m very proud of them. Sobrang binigay talaga nila `yung lahat at wala na ako masabi. Sabi ko sa kanila [na we] should be thankful at umabot tayo rito sa championship,” Que added.

In women’s play, La Salle remained a riddle for the Lady Paddlers, who fell prey for the second-straight season.

UST could not capitalize on its Game 1 win and lost the next two games as La Salle took home its fourth consecutive crown.

With UST down 1-2 in the pivotal Game 3, Lady Green Paddler Jamaica Sy swept Katrina Tempiatura, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4, for the title.

“We made a mistake in the lineup [in Game 3]. Malaking factor ang lineup kasi dapat hindi mahuli ang magaling ko, kasi dalawa ang SEA Games [players] nila,” Lady Paddlers head coach Lorida Wadjad said.

Wadjad was referring to Sy and Emy Dael, who were both instrumental in the Lady Green Paddlers’ dominant championship run.

In the juniors’ division, the girls’ team capped an undefeated season with a championship but the boys’ squad succumbed to NU for the silver.

Overachieving

Despite second-place finishes, Tiger and Lady Paddlers team captains Paul Que and Rizza Darlucio said the teams overachieved this year.

“What I saw during the game was more than enough. I saw the hard work, perseverance and dedication of each member of the team to play. I am still thankful na nakaabot kami ng championship in my last UAAP year,” Darlucio said in an online interview.

Last year, the Lady Paddlers broke a seven-year drought after reaching the finals for the first time since 2009.

Tiger Paddler Que took over a team that had less firepower, after losing former MVP Norielle Pantoja and veterans Alberto Bazar and Gil Ablanque.

“Proud ako sa mga teammates ko lalo na kay Maldia dahil hindi siya bumitaw at ipinakita niya na buong-buo ang loob niya kahit na may sakit siya. Masaya din ako para sa kanila dahil na-overcome ng bawat isa ang mga problemang dumaan at nag-perform ng maayos,” Que told the Varsitarian in a separate interview.

Que has two more playing years but is still undecided if he will still suit up for the team next season.

UST will miss the services of Darlucio and men’s doubles player Janssen Cruz, who will both graduate next year.

UST has won a combined 38 titles in the men’s and women’s division since 1978.

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