Veteran Tiger Paddlers seek end to drought

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THE VETERAN trio of Norielle Pantoja, Alberto Bazar and Gil Ablanque, who won the title in 2012, is seeking to end the Tiger Paddlers’ three-year title drought in their last UAAP year.

“Sa training wala naman nang dapat i-adjust pa. Kailangan na lang talaga namin ay ‘yung tapang namin sa laro. Mahirap na makita naman na kaya naman namin ‘yung kalaban pero natatalo pa rin kami,” team captain Pantoja told the Varsitarian.

Bazar said they have developed through the years and have become solid as ever.

“Mahirap ‘yung mga times na tingin mo, ‘di ka na nag-i-improve. Kailangan mo talaga magtiyaga para mag-improve pa. Tsaka, ‘yung mga nakakalaban mong malalakas, syempre kailangan mong makasabay [sa kanila,]” said Bazar.

Being only exposed to the competitive scene once he suited up for the Paddlers, Bazar quickly made an impression after winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2012. He was honed by a Japanese-instructor named Osamu Tanaka since the age of nine and Bazar never realized he could make a name for himself out of a hobby.

Among the three veterans, Ablanque is considered the most experienced paddler since he has been playing table tennis starting second grade.

“Sa physical na training mahirap ‘yun kasi ibubuhos mo lahat, buong puso mo para lang mag-champion. Goal talaga namin ay mag-champion. Mas masakit naman pagdating sa laro, talo ka na nga, ‘di ka pa nag-champion,” the former three-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist said.

The last time the Tiger Paddlers won the gold was in Seasons 73 to 75. UST struggled last year against three-time defending champion De La Salle University. They settled with a silver.

Through the entire UAAP playing years, Pantoja and Bazar both captured a gold, silver, and bronze while Ablanque has two golds, one silver and a bronze.

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