The UST Tiger Paddlers opened the UAAP Season 88 men’s table tennis tournament with commanding victories on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Amoranto Sports Complex.
The Tiger Paddlers swept the Adamson Soaring Falcons and the UP Fighting Maroons, 3-0, before dispatching the UE Red Warriors, 3-1, on Day 1 of the tournament.
“Good naman ang performance nila, pero may mga certain adjustments na dapat naming gawin para mas maganda ‘yong performance namin in the coming days compared to today,” UST head coach Jackson Que told the Varsitarian.
Reigning MVP Eljey Tormis dominated Adamson’s Amiel Sumadsad, 11-3, 11-6, 13-11, while UST’s Gerard Aguilar also made quick work of Benedict Rabaya, 11-5, 11-7, 14-12.
Prince Garcia and Ruiz Marcelino sealed the win for UST after sweeping Jhon Balucos and Aldrean Gacho, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.
The Tiger Paddlers carried their momentum into the next match as Gerald Aguilar defeated the UP Fighting Maroons’ Daniel Sandoval, 12-10, 11-8, 11-4. Tormis then pummeled Ken Nieva, 11-3, 11-3, 11-5.
The duo of Ruiz Marcelino and Al Sanchez clinched the victory over UP after routing Manuel Aguilar and Benzdio Florida, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7.
In the third match, Ray Manlapaz earned narrow wins over UE Red Warriors’ Francisco Origenes, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8, while Gerald Aguilar survived a scare against Kurt Villarico, 12-10, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9.
However, UST’s Paul Antivo and Aljay Villena fell short of a late comeback against John Galang and Miguel Panelo, 13-11, 13-11, 11-2, 11-8, 8-11.
Tormis then took charge and closed out the tie, dominating Johnster Rosales, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5.
In the boys’ division, the Junior Tiger Paddlers were also off to a strong start, thrashing Ateneo, UPIS and DLSZ to secure a 3-0 record.
The Tiger Paddlers will conclude their Round 1 campaign against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, DLSU Green Paddlers and FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, Nov. 16, at the same venue.
