THE UST Lady Paddlers won two out of three games in their UAAP Season 86 women’s table tennis tournament debut at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City on Thursday.
The Lady Paddlers made 3-0 sweeps of Adamson University and University of the East but fell short in a nailbiter against Far Eastern University.
UST rookie Janna Paculba bested Adamson’s Nicole Dave, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9, while Ciara Derecho escaped Lady Falcon Alyssa Toleco, 11-8, 12-14, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9.
Lady Paddlers Corrine Cartera and Jamielyn Villalon defeated their Adamson foes in the doubles match to clinch the win, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7.
In their second game, the Lady Paddlers were swept in reverse by FEU, 3-2.
Lady Tamaraw and Season 85 Rookie of the Year Aizel Rom forced the decider after outlasting Lady Paddler Kathlyn Gabisay, 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, 11-9, in the singles play.
FEU’s Resh Bagongon sealed the deal for the Lady Tamaraws with a 10-12, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10 rout of Lady Paddler Julie de Leon.
UST zoomed early to two wins as Lady Paddlers’ team captain Kaye Encarnacion overpowered Liezl Cañada, 11-3, 11-7, 14-12, while Paculba outlasted Shairah Gabisay, 11-13, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, for a 2-0 advantage.
However, UST’s tandem of Cartera and Villalon succumbed to Lady Tamaraws Glieza Ampalid and Miriam Martinez in the doubles match, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9.
“Medyo kinulang kami sa FEU since nagkaproblema ‘yung isang teammate namin. Pero, babalik naman kami para bumawi bukas,” Encarnacion told the Varsitarian.
“‘Yung sa lineup namin, nagkamali kami. Sinolid kasi namin sa taas, then naubusan kami sa baba. Sa game naman, ‘yung placement lang ng bola ‘yung kinulang sa’min. I think iyon ‘yung kailangan naming i-adjust.”
The Lady Paddlers retaliated and capped off the opening day with a 3-0 romp of UE.
Paculba and Cartera defeated their UE foes in the singles matches before UST’s tandem of Derecho and Gabisay completed the sweep with an 11-3, 11-6, 11-9 drubbing of Lady Warriors Maria Perez and Rica Soriano.
In the girls’ division, UST swept University of the Philippines Integrated School, Ateneo High School, and University of the East to top the standings with a clean 3-0 record.
The UST Lady Paddlers will next face defending champion De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, and University of the East tomorrow, Nov. 10, at the same venue. Bjorn Del B. Deade
