Guest school National Academy of Sports made an impressive debut in the UAAP Season 89 High School Table Tennis Team Event, scoring a pair of 3–1 victories over reigning champion University of Santo Tomas and powerhouse De La Salle Santiago Zobel School on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Making its league debut in table tennis this season, the Excel Lions immediately made their presence felt, opening the day with an upset of defending champion UST before following it up with another victory over the Junior Lady Green Paddlers.
“Of course, we’re very happy, and we’re very grateful to our Executive Director, Sir Kiko Diaz, na napasama kami sa UAAP. Kasi alam natin na very high-level competition talaga ang UAAP, and for NAS to be a part of this, we’re privileged na nakasama kami,” said head coach Glady Roque of the school’s first season in the tournament, which is backed by Huaching Foundation and Topcoms Marketing Company.
“Obviously, we came in very prepared naman. The moment we knew that we’re joining UAAP this season, and dahil nga high level to, talagang inaral din namin ‘yung mga makakalaban,” Roque added.
Ayesha Cuenta emerged as NAS’ standout performer, securing victories against both UST in the morning and DLSZ in the afternoon.
The 13-year-old wunderkind first defeated UST’s Adelie Leopoldo, 11–5, 9–11, 11–7, 12–10, before dominating DLSZ’s Queenie Asi, 11–6, 12–10, 11–1.
Reeyan Celestra gave NAS the early advantage against UST with an 11–9, 11–8, 11–9 victory over Julianne Bandojo, before Myzette Torres doubled the lead with an 11–1, 13–11, 13–15, 11–6 decision over Xyra Malaluan.
Karishma Cac and Shairah Puentespina pulled one back for the Junior Tiger Paddlers, prevailing in five sets, 11–6, 11–6, 7–11, 9–11, 11–2. However, Cuenta put the finishing touches on NAS’ opening-day victory.
The Excel Lions had to work their way back against DLSZ in their afternoon assignment after Chloe Silva gave the Junior Lady Green Paddlers the early lead.
Silva defeated Torres, 11–7, 9–11, 11–9, 11–9, but Celestra quickly restored parity with an 11–13, 11–9, 11–8, 11–8 victory over last season’s Rookie of the Year Sari Velasco.
Ghianne Cordova and Zoe Samson then put NAS ahead, 11–13, 11–8, 11–7, 11–7, before Cuenta completed the comeback and sealed the Excel Lions’ second victory of the day.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
University of the East joined NAS at the top of the girls’ standings after sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 3–1, before escaping Adamson University, 3–2.
Cyra Davo delivered the crucial victories for the Junior Lady Warriors, first providing the clincher against the Blue Eagles before helping her side recover against the Lady Falcons.
The 17-year-old standout dominated Ateneo’s Sophia De Leon, 11–1, 11–3, 11–2, to seal UE’s first victory before defeating Laura Clanor, 11–8, 11–6, 11–5, to level the tie against Adamson.
Camille Apilo then completed the comeback with a 14–12, 11–8, 11–8, 11–6 victory over Ravilyn Depiedra to give the Junior Lady Warriors their second win.
The Excel Lions, however, fell short of completing a perfect opening day after the same UST squad denied them a victory in the boys’ division, with the Junior Tiger Paddlers prevailing, 3–2.
NAS threatened to pull off another upset against the defending champions, just as its girls’ team had done earlier, after Carlos Corpuz and Jovito Corpuz defeated Paul Agunod and Collins Canalin, 12–10, 13–11, 11–6, to give the visitors a 2–1 lead.
Jakob Quindo then put NAS on the brink of victory with an 11–3, 8–11, 11–5, 10–12 comeback win over Franz Acasio. However, Emmanuel Paculba kept UST in contention by outlasting Prince Maminta, 9–11, 11–8, 9–11, 11–8, 11–6, to level the tie.
After the Corpuz brothers had given NAS the advantage, last season’s Rookie of the Year Joshua Bañas answered with an 11–8, 11–6, 11–2 victory over Rald Tanghal to set up Keiji Redor’s deciding win.
Redor then delivered the clincher for the Junior Tiger Paddlers, overpowering Meiko Hicap, 11–7, 11–8, 11–1, to complete UST’s comeback.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Bañas and Cael Sabandal had earlier helped UST open its campaign with a 3–0 sweep of University of the Philippines Integrated School.
The Junior Tiger Paddlers secured the doubles point through an 11–4, 11–4, 12–10 victory over Aaron Dela Cruz and Zuryel Vargas. Acasio then opened the singles campaign with an 11–2, 11–3, 11–4 rout of Daniel Luna, before Agunod completed the sweep with an 11–6, 11–3, 11–5 victory over Yuji Lope.
UE also secured back-to-back victories to open its campaign, sweeping UPIS, 3–0, before defeating DLSZ, 3–1.
Zeus Gavin Manlapaz played a key role in both victories, delivering in contrasting fashion. He first teamed up with John Cauilan to sweep UPIS’ Dela Cruz and Vargas, 11–2, 11–5, 11–9, before claiming a hard-fought five-set victory over DLSZ’s Timothy Anceno, 8–11, 11–7, 11–9, 7–11, 11–9.
Kian Sumadsad opened the scoring for the Junior Warriors against the Fighting Maroons with an 11–2, 11–4, 11–7 victory over Ziv Pupos, before Mike Nicol doubled their advantage with an 11–9, 11–8, 11–13, 11–5 decision.
Sumadsad once again set the tone for UE against DLSZ, defeating Troy Rodriguez, 11–9, 9–11, 11–8, 11–6. Ezekiel Vicente, however, pulled one back for the Junior Green Paddlers after overcoming Nicol, 9–11, 9–11, 15–13, 11–6, 11–5.
Joemarey Manucduc and Cauilan restored UE’s advantage with an 11–8, 11–2, 11–8 victory over Adrian Ultrera and Legolas Oblina, before Manlapaz put the finishing touches on the Junior Warriors’ second win of the day.new
