National team standouts Eljey Tormis and Angel Laude are determined to make their respective final appearances for their respective schools count as the UAAP Season 89 Table Tennis Tournament shifts to the individual events on Friday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Tormis, who recently led the University of Santo Tomas to its seventh consecutive men’s team gold on Wednesday, expressed his gratitude for being entrusted with one of the squad’s singles entries despite the depth of the Tigers’ roster.
“Sobrang happy na isa ko sa napili ni Coach Jack (Que) to represent UST. Pero kasi ang iniisip talaga is nag-champion kayo as a team, pero hindi kami titigil kasi ang aim talaga namin is makuha ‘yung overall championship,” he said.
The 22-year-old paddler from Mandaue City faces a challenging group that includes Far Eastern University’s Kharlou Piala, University of the Philippines’ Harvey Nieva, and De La Salle University’s Andrei Villacruel.
The top two players from each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, with individual finishes also earning points toward the overall championship on top of those accumulated in the team events.
Meanwhile, Laude will look to lead DLSU’s charge for a potential comeback in the overall title race, hoping to secure the Lady Green Paddlers’ first-ever women’s singles gold.
The Atimonan, Quezon native aims to extend her personal winning streak and make history for DLSU, relying on the same mindset that has guided her throughout her playing career.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Ang ginagawa ko lang naman lagi is focused lang naman ako sa game na ‘yon, and, hopefully, maging maganda ‘yung run ko sa individual event,” Laude shared. “Siyempre, may pressure siya na all eyes are on me kasi ako ‘yung inaasahan nila, pero ang mindset ko talaga is one game at a time lang.”
Laude will be grouped with Ateneo de Manila University’s Trisha Pachica, University of the East’s Gem Nonan, and UST’s Micah Tanate in the four-player battle on Saturday.
Before the singles competitions take center stage, the doubles events will kick off on Friday, featuring a mix of established partnerships and revamped pairings.
Ateneo will retain the tandem of Zherdel Fresco and Carlos Docto, while FEU will stick with Ralph Digamon and Julian Del Rosario. UST, meanwhile, will bring back its former pairing of Ruiz Marcelino and Abraham Antivo IV.
On the women’s side, UST will field its usual tandem of Janna Paculba and Kaye Alliah Encarnacion, while Ateneo will continue with Anna Sophia Fabregar and Aubrey Solis.
FEU, fresh off its women’s team gold, will bank on Christine Golez and Shairah Gabisay, alongside its other established tandem of Cate Sarmiento and Krisha Reyes.
The group-stage matches of the doubles events across the collegiate men’s and women’s divisions, as well as the high school boys’ and girls’ divisions, are scheduled for Friday, November 13, starting at 9 a.m.
The high school quarterfinals will follow at 4 p.m., with the collegiate last-eight matches set for 4:30 p.m.
