They swept in the 14-game elimination round and never dropped a single match against three-time defending champions De La Salle University in the finals of the UAAP Season 79 table tennis tournament at the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle gym last Oct. 26.
“The sweep was a big deal for us because it is our history. It is not easy to get a sweep because the other teams prepared for the tournament as well,” said Most Valuable Player Norielle Pantoja.
The improvement was evident when they dispatched La Salle, University of the East, Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines in a single day despite most of the players suffering from flu-like symptoms.
“We are really hungry [to win] and we really wanted to end up as champions. There is already a rivalry between La Salle and UST ever since so we really doubled our sacrifices this time,” said Gil Ablanque.
In 2012, the Tiger Paddlers took three straight championships against La Salle but the Green Archers got their revenge the following year.
Last year, UST ran out of steam in the finals as La Salle completed a three-peat of their own.
Determined for a comeback, the Tiger Paddlers doubled their preparation this season.
“Our goal was to win and to get the championship so there is no reason for a player to be lazy during trainings. I see to it that they should as determined as I am,” Pantoja added.
Perfect end
Seniors Pantoja, Ablanque and Alberto Bazar could not be happier as they entered UST as champions and will leave the University as champions.
“It was beyond perfect,” said Bazar. “All the struggles in our training paid off and I am satisfied that we won the championship on my last playing year.”
Aside from the three veterans who will leave, Paul Que is undecided whether to suit up for the Tiger Paddlers next year.
Que is a graduating Accountancy student but still has three playing years left in his UAAP career.
“This is a big decision for me because I think this is still not the perfect way to end my career. It still depends on the upcoming circumstances,” he said.
