Tiger Paddlers dismantle Ateneo, secure five-peat

2 min read — Former MVP Alvin Sevilla was locked in a battle of attrition against Cabrido, as he pulled through in a nerve-wrecking back-and-forth five setter, grabbing UST’s five straight title in the UAAP men’s table tennis tournament, 3-11, 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 11-5.

Published 5 months ago on November 26, 2024

by Dylan Kievan Lameseria

The UST Tiger Paddlers overpowered on the tables once again, clinching their fifth consecutive title in the UAAP Season 87 men’s table tennis tournament on Nov. 26, Tuesday, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

“Maayos yung preparation namin, talagang ang prinepare kasi namin is yung mindset namin, to stay humble and to stay hungry na makuha namin yung five-peat,” UST Head Coach Jackson Que told TomasinoWeb.

The España-based squad managed to get the upper hand as they seized game no. 1 against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 3-1.

UST’s Eljey Dan Tormis bested Ateneo’s Mahendra Mahaviira Cabrido in straight sets, 11-6, 11-4, 13-11, in the first singles match.

In the second singles game, Tiger Paddler Alvin Menard Sevilla took advantage of their momentum, thrashing Blue Eagle Victor Franciso De Asis, 11-8, 11-2, 11-9.

The Katipunan-based squad clawed back through the duo of Zherdel Drozle Fresco and Wrency Abad trouncing UST’s Prince Karl Garcia and Abraham Antivo, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3.

Tiger Paddler Ray Manlapaz denied an Ateneo comeback by whipping Andrew Uy in the third singles match, 12-10, 10-12, 11-6, 13-11.

Championship point

With momentum on their hands, the España-based squad’s Tormis started the first singles match of game no. 2 with a rout over De Asis, 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-3.

Tiger Paddler John Castro kept their alive by drubbing Blue Eagle Rod Garcia, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5.

The duo of Fresco and Abad once again surged back for the Katipunan-based squad, edging Garcia and Antivo, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4.

Former MVP Alvin Sevilla was locked in a battle of attrition against Cabrido, as he pulled through in a nerve-wrecking back-and-forth five setter, grabbing UST’s five straight title in the UAAP men’s table tennis tournament, 3-11, 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 11-5.

UST Tiger Paddler Tormis grabbed the ‘Most Valuable Player’ award and Tiger Paddler Manlapaz snagged the ‘Rookie Of The Year’ award.

“Always prepare, always be ready, and expect for the unexpected,” UST Head Coach Que told TomasinoWeb about the lessons they learned that will be helpful to them in the future.