National University booked the last remaining Finals ticket after eking out a 3-2 win over De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Table Tennis Stepladder at the Blue Eagle Gym Tuesday.
The Bulldogs will face the undefeated University of Santo Tomas Tiger Paddlers in the Finals on Wednesday, November 20 at the same venue.
“Sinabihan ko lang si Diez na gumalaw saka tapang lang, yun yung inadvice ko bago mag last game, kasi nakita ko humihinto siya eh,” said NU coach Judit Yulde.
With the match tied with two games apiece, NU’s John Diez dismantled Enric Remitio in thrilling fashion, 12-10, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9.
Trailing 0-2, La Salle pair of Christian Crisostomo and Daniel Ocon, and Tarak Cabrido stringed two straight wins to tie the match, 2-2.
La Salle squandered a two-game lead to Adamson University but recovered just in time to enter the second phase of the stepladder, 3-2.
Remitio outmuscled Isaac Eneria in five grueling sets, 11-5, 5-11, 11-13, 11-8, 13-11, for the victory.
Falcon John Polido outlasted Cabrido, 11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 4-11, 11-4, to tie the match at 2-2.
