Far Eastern University overcame challenges to kick off its redemption campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Table Tennis Tournament, finishing the opening day with an unblemished 4-0 record on Saturday at the Amoranto Arena in Quezon City.
Barely missing the Final Four last season, the Tamaraws made a strong statement with four thrilling victories, highlighted by a stunning 3-1 reversal over last year’s runner-up, Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, in a tournament backed by Huaching Foundation and Topcoms Marketing Inc.
Christian Golez, one of FEU’s holdovers from last year, fended off Andree Garcia’s comeback attempt, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, sending the Tamaraws to the top of the standings.
“Parang naging motivation po namin ‘yung pagkatalo namin last year at ginalingan po talaga namin sa training, kaming buong team,” said the 24-year-old Tamaraw.
Earlier in the day, Golez had a golden chance to close his match against the University of the Philippines but fell to Dirk Odian II, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 7-11. Fortunately, Peter Cubio secured FEU’s second win by denying Luigi De Asis a comeback, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 13-11.
FEU opened its day with a 3-1 romp over Adamson University, with Golez delivering the decisive win against JR Apura, 11-4, 12-10, 11-9. The Tamaraws then added another 3-1 victory in the afternoon over the University of the East, rounding out their perfect start.
Reigning champion University of Santo Tomas also opened strong with a 3-0 record, led by last season’s MVP Eljey Tormis. The Tiger Paddlers swept Adamson University (3-0), the UP Fighting Maroons (3-0), and defeated UE (3-1), finishing just behind FEU.
Tormis, a national team member, went undefeated in three matches, beating Adamson’s Amiel Sumadsad (11-3, 11-6, 13-11), UP’s Harvey Nieva (11-3, 11-3, 11-5), and UE’s Johnster Villarico (11-4, 11-6, 11-5), helping UST start its title defense strong in pursuit of a 32nd UAAP men’s crown.
Ateneo and De La Salle University ended with identical 2-1 records to share third place, while Adamson finished at 1-2. The Blue Eagles swept the Green Paddlers 3-0, and the Soaring Falcons claimed a 3-1 win over the Fighting Maroons. UE and UP each closed the opening day without a win.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the women’s side, FEU and reigning champion UST also posted perfect 3-0 records to lead the field.
The UST Lady Paddlers defeated last year’s third-placers, Ateneo, 3-0, while FEU Lady Tamaraws edged the De La Salle Lady Green Paddlers, 3-2, in the standout matches of the day.
Samantha Bandojo and Leigh Valencia powered UST to the crucial win over Ateneo’s Nicole Alemania and Therese Docto, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-8.
Meanwhile, rookie Christine Golez made her UAAP debut for FEU with a decisive 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 victory over Shyrein Redoquerio.
Ateneo and De La Salle ended the day tied at 2-1 for third place, while UP and Adamson both stood at 1-3. UE remained winless at 0-4.
