October 9, 2011, 9:48 p.m.: UNDERDOGS Tiger Paddlers overcame adversity after sweeping Far Eastern University, 2-0, to snatch a back-to-back title in the UAAP table tennis tournament at the National University gymnasium this afternoon.
UST’s Rookie Gil Ablanque capped the title-run after a commanding 3-0 victory against FEU’s top player Jhinno Selma, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10, in the fourth set of the second match in the championship round.
“Alam kong kaya ni Gil si Selma kahit rookie lang siya at number one ng FEU ‘yung kalaban niya,” said coach Henbers Ortalla.
After sweeping the first match of the finals, 3-0, UST’s Martin Diaz continued the streak for the paddlers after toying Romiel Igno of FEU, 3-1, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5.
The duo of Paddlers captain Aaron Morales and Christian Abendan gave UST a 2-1 set lead after pulverizing FEU’s Mark Yap and Remy Dacut in the third set, 3-0, 15-13, 11-7, 12-10.
“Sinabi ko na sa mga bata na sa simula pa lang dapat mag-champion kami,” Ortalla said. “[Itong championship ngayon] ngayon na nakuha namin, pang-pito o pang-walo ko na yata since nag-coach ako rito noong 1997.”
Adolfo Bazar was the only casualty for UST who fell in four sets, 1-3, against Monarch Broqueza of FEU, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 6-11.
Ortalla and Morales nabbed the Coach of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards, respectively.
In the distaff side, the Lady Paddlers failed to enter the finals after suffering a stunning blow from league-leader De La Salle University at the Blue Eagle gym last Wednesday.
The Lady Paddlers got swept in three sets by the subsequent runners-up of the tournament. Rodlofo Serafin Jerome T. Lozada
