THE UST Male Paddlers booked an automatic finals ticket while the Lady Paddlers secured a semifinal spot after sweeping their final assignments in the UAAP Season 79 table tennis tournament at the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle gym Monday.
The Male Paddlers turned back Ateneo, Adamson University and National University for a 14-0 sweep of the tournament en route to an automatic finals berth.
“Maganda ‘yung performance ng team ngayon, lalo na ngayong second day [of the second round],” Male Paddlers head coach Jackson Que told the Varsitarian. “Bumalik ‘yung condition ng katawan nila kaya na-sweep natin.”
In women’s play, the Lady Paddlers made quick work of NU, Adamson and the University of the Philippines, 3-0, 3-0 and 3-1, respectively.
The Lady Paddlers finished the elimination round with a 10-4 record, sharing second seed with the Far Eastern University.
“Matter of guts na lang ng mga bata [tomorrow], [magiging] close fight,” head coach Lorida Wadjad said.
The Lady Paddlers and FEU will vie for the twice-to-beat advantage tomorrow, Oct. 18, while the semifinal round of the tournament will ensue on Wednesday, Oct. 19, both at the same venue.
