THE UST Junior Tiger Paddlers ended a 15-year title drought while the Junior Lady Paddlers defended their crown in the UAAP Season 86 high school table tennis tournaments at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City on Thursday.
UST teams swept Adamson University and the University of the East in the boys’ and girls’ divisions to complete their Season 86 runs undefeated.
In Game 1, Junior Tiger Paddler Jad Sandoval trounced Adamson’s Kyle Quinoñes, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, while Jebb Datahan bounced Arvin Garcia, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-8.
Season 85 Rookie of the Year Jhiven Clamucha banded with Anton Bayona to stomp Adamson’s duo of Gerald Noche and Leighnard Bartolo, 11-7, 11-9, 12-10.
With UST one game closer to the championship, Emmanuel Paculba and Datahan swept Ritz Idio (11-6, 11-9, 11-4) and Irvin Garcia, (13-11, 11-9, 11-5) in the singles matches, while the Bayona-Clamucha tandem demolished Baby Falcons Arvin Garcia and Bartolo, 11-7, 11-9,11-4, to snap their 15-year title drought.
The last time UST won the boys’ table tennis championship was in 2008, in Season 71, where the Junior Tiger Paddlers also completed an undefeated run.
UST head coach Lorinda Wadjad said that the team had difficulties in recruitment, especially during the pandemic, but she was grateful the Junior Paddlers still dominated their respective divisions.
“This time na-fulfill namin ‘yung championship for the boys kasi normally nauudlot because of Covid-19. Wala naman akong ma-recruit kasi it’s pandemic, mahirap mag-recruit,” Wadjad told the Varsitarian.
“The winning factor kasi ‘yung perseverance nila, gusto talaga nilang manalo. Pinakita talaga nila ang best nila because hindi pa nila nasusubukang mag-champion ngayon, and finally nakuha na nila.”
Last season, UST settled for silver after faltering against De La Salle Santiago Zobel School.
In the girls’ division, Junior Lady Paddler Samantha Bandojo cruised past UE’s Camille Apilo, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6, while Christine Golez smashed Amira Baholoy, 14-12, 12-10, 11-4, to give UST a 2-0 advantage during Game 1.
UST’s duo of Ira Dayahan and Padmae Vivas completed the sweep after edging out UE’s Daisy Calo and Vhernalie Cruz in the doubles match, 6-11, 13-11, 11-2, 11-9.
In Game 2, Alarcon overwhelmed Abdul, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6, while Golez prevailed in five sets over Resala Balamal, 6-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5, 11-2.
However, the Dayahan-Vivas duo failed to complete the sweep after faltering against UE’s tandem of Calo and Cruz, 11-3, 9-11 5-11, 6-11, in the doubles play.
Sanchez sealed the championship after an 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 walloping of Baholoy.
Wadjad said the UST girls’ team was hounded by academic problems, reducing their supposed eight-player roster to just five.
“The girls’ squad is unexpected to be champion, because out of eight, lima lang na-qualify maglaro kasi ‘yung tatlo, they were not able to qualify in terms of eligibility kasi nga may bagsak,” she said. “But then, when I saw their skills, pinagtyagaan na lang sa training, and I am so thankful lumabas ‘yung training namin sa laro.”
Datahan and Sanchez bagged the boys’ and girls’ Most Valuable Player plums.
Both UST teams finished the season with unblemished 12-0 records.
