THE UST Lady Paddlers turned back the University of the Philippines, 3-2, to advance in the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 79 table tennis tournament at the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle gym Tuesday.
UP led 2-1 but the heroics of Danica Alburo and Niña Nacasabog in the fourth and final games, respectively, powered the Lady Paddlers to victory.
UST secured a sure bronze medal and will try to defeat the Far Eastern University, which has a twice-to-beat advantage, to get a shot to at the undefeated De La Salle University in the finals.
“Honestly, all of us were really tired kasi kanina pa kami nandito. Coaching them and watching them is a big pressure. I’m handling three teams tapos ‘yung pressure [sa team] ay grabe na talaga,” UST head coach Lori Wadjad told the Varsitarian.
Earlier, the Lady Paddlers lost a 1-3 verdict against FEU in their battle for the twice-to-beat incentive.
“Nagkamali kami sa paglagay ng line-up. Nahuhuli ‘yung magagaling namin. Pangalawa, na-tense talaga. Sobrang pressured ng players ko [at] may kaba,” Wadjad added.
UST will face the second-seeded FEU in the continuation of the stepladder semifinals tomorrow at the same venue.
