Entering this year’s UAAP Table Tennis Championship with a huge weight on their back, incumbent champions in both the men’s and women’s division, the De La Salle University, were able to justify the hype. They struck fast to establish dominance against the majority of their opposition during the first round of the tournament held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex last October 17 and 24.
Green Paddlers
In going up against the seven other opposition schools, the DLSU Green Paddlers got off to a slow start. Stunned by General Championship rival, University of Santo Tomas, with a shocking 1-3 opening defeat, the men of La Salle were quickly able to get their bearings to show just what they are capable of.
Starting their string of victories with the sweeping 3-0 triumph against NU, the Green Paddlers never looked back. They continued to overcome their remaining opponents, Far Eastern University and Ateneo de Manila University, for the opening day with enough ferocity to finish them off 3-1 and 3-2, respectively.
The second and final day for round one went off smoothly for DLSU, as they easily routed UE (3-1), AdU (3-0), and UP (3-1).
Lady Paddlers
Just like their male counterparts, the women’s team was able to control the competition. Ending the first round totally unscathed, the Lady Paddlers were a cut above the rest of their opposition. They were able to tirelessly dominate, delivering many one-sided matches, most of which ended in a 3-0 sweep.
Opening their title defense with a swift 3-0 victory against FEU, the Lady Paddlers were unstoppable as they quickly overpowered their competition. NU and UST, the Lady Paddlers’ third and second matches respectively, were the next victims as they both fell 3-1, despite standing their ground till the end. Capping off the first day of the tournament for the the DLSU Lady Paddlers were rivals Ateneo de Manila University, who were defeated 3-0.
The thunderous charge continued to the final day of the first round, as the unrelenting Paddlers sustained their sweep, easily dispatching Adamson (3-0), UP (3-1), and UE (3-0).
The Green Paddlers now sit tied with UST for first with 6-1 run, while the Lady Paddlers succeeded in rising above the others with an undefeated 7-0 run.
