The UST Lady Paddlers remained undefeated after sweeping their four games on Day 2 of the Huaching Intercollegiate Challenge at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay on Saturday, Aug. 12.
The Lady Paddlers improved to a 6-0 win-loss record to stay atop the standings in Group A of the women’s division.
“Honestly, from the start, they were consistent and they were very very careful. Siyempre gusto rin nila manalo. Actually, this is their first time competing with different schools,” UST head coach Lorinda Wadjad told the Varsitarian.
In the first stage, UST swept University of Manila (UM), 2-0, before outplaying San Beda University, 2-1.
UST rookie Janna Paculba pulled off an 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 win against UM’s Jaianne Beleno, while Lady Paddler Corrine Cartera pounded Defrey Bautista, 11-5, 11-3,11-7.
UST’s Kathlyn Gabisay swept Lady Gerolia of San Beda, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9, but Lady Paddler Julie de Leon succumbed to Krelan Geronimo in five sets, 11-7, 4-11, 12-10, 2-11, 12-14. Paculba avenged de Leon’s loss and sealed the deal in a decider against Novy Digamon, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4.
The Lady Paddlers opened the second stage with sweeps of Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University.
Gabisay outmuscled PUP’s Angelica Etrata, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9, before Paculba mauled Rosette Segundo, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4.
Paculba prevailed against FEU’s Glieza Ampalid, 11-3, 11-5, 10-12, 7-11, while Gabisay escaped Reshma Bagongon, 5-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10.
In the men’s division, the trio of Alvin Sevilla, Eljey Tormis, and John Castro continued their dominant run to improve to a 5-0 record after trumping San Beda University, 2-0, and Ateneo de Manila University, 2-0.
UST’s group of Al Sanchez, Manny de Leon and Ruiz Marcelino dropped their first game against the Blue Eagles, 1-2, and finished the day with a 5-1 record after six matches.
The Tiger Paddlers will next face the DLSU Green Paddlers and San Beda Red Lions, while the Lady Paddlers will go against De La Salle University and Lady Red Lions for their remaining matches in Stage 2 of the elimination round. The semifinals and finals will start tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the same venue.
