THE UST Tiger Paddlers cruised to their seventh-straight finals berth after finishing the UAAP Season 86 men’s table tennis tournament elimination round undefeated at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City on Wednesday.
The Tiger Paddlers made quick work of University of the East (3-0) and Far Eastern University (3-0) to sweep the elimination round with a perfect 12-0 record.
UST has made it to the finals every season since Season 78 and bagged four out of six championships in that span. This season marked UST’s fourth time sweeping the elimination round.
“Syempre masaya tayo na na-sweep natin pero hindi pa rin tapos ‘yung laban. So talagang very focused pa rin ‘yung team hanggang sa finals,” UST head coach Jackson Que told the Varsitarian. “I want them to remain hungry for gold, remain grounded and remain humble.”
In the singles matches, Tiger Paddler John Castro swept UE’s Jan Presbitero, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5, before UST’s Manny de Leon mauled Laridje Legaspi, 11-3, 11-9,13-11.
UST’s tandem of Ruiz Marcelino and rookie Jericho Mumar overcame Red Warriors Kyle Lanzaderas and Runmar Quipanes, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4.
Season 85 Rookie of the Year Eljey Tormis swept FEU’s Peter Cubio, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9, while De Leon outmuscled Tamaraw Dane Piala, 11-6, 11-9, 19-17.
The Marcelino-Mumar duo sealed UST’s victory with an 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 13-15, 11-6 overcoming of Tamaraws Claer Riego and Louis Sacay in the doubles match.
In similar fashion, the Junior Tiger Paddlers booked their finals ticket after an unblemished 10-0 record in the boys’ division.
The Tiger Paddlers and their junior counterparts will play in the finals scheduled for Nov. 24, Friday, at the same venue. with reports from Josh Nikkolai S. Bravo
