The UST Lady Paddlers redeemed themselves after thrashing the FEU Lady Tamaraws in their finals match of the UAAP Season 87 women’s table tennis tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

The España-based squad missed the finals last season and failed to reclaim the trophy they surrendered to the DLSU Lady Paddlers.

UST caught momentum after holding off the Lady Tamaraws, 3-2, in their first game of the day. Lady Paddler Althea Gudes clobbered FEU’s Miriam Martinez in the first singles match, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8.

Lady Tamaraw Aizel Rom charged back, escaping UST’s Janna Mae Paculba to snatch the victory in the second singles game, 8-11, 16-14, 11-4, 6-11, 11-3 and even the match.

The duo of Lady Paddlers Kathlyn Gabisay and Leigh Villanueva failed to pounce back in the doubles match, falling short against Krisha Reyes and Glieza Ampalid, 9-11, 11-8, 13-11, 6-11, 2-11.

The Morayta-based squad got the upper hand with a 2-1 advantage in the first match but Kaye Encarnacion came in clutch and secured the last two wins needed to go 1-0 against FEU.

Encarnacion dismantled Shairah Gabisay, 6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 and Ashly Mae Sobrevilla 11-6, 11-7 6-11, 11-7.

One step closer to victory

The España-based squad imposed their dominance by besting the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 3-0, in the second game of their finals match.

Encarnacion showed her grit once again by nipping FEU’s Rom, 9-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 14-12.

Lady Paddler Gudes overpowered Martinez in the singles match, 11-7, 11-2, 11-8, getting closer to their dream of resurgence.

The duo of UST’s Gabisay and Corrine Cartera walloped Ampalid and Reyes to finally complete their quest and clinch the trophy, 11-4, 11-7, 11-8.

“Actually the preparation was really tough and expensive because we went outside. We really prepared na di kami matalo,” UST head coach Lorinda Wadjad told TomasinoWeb.

“[What] we prepared for, actually [was] La Salle eh, and we never thought na FEU yung makakalaban namin,” she added.

Gudes bagged ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘Most Valuable Player’ awards, proving everyone that the future of UST in the field of table tennis is bright.