De La Salle took care of fabled rivals Ateneo in two ties to take its eighth championship in the UAAP Season 86 women’s table tennis tournament on Thursday at the Amoranto Sports Complex Arena in Quezon City.
This is the first crown for the university this season and for long-time Lady Paddlers head mentor Lauro Crisostomo, it was a product of his wards’ determination to extend their reign to a second season in a row.
“Itong championship kumbaga si God na ang naging bahala kung destiny namin na mag-champion, pero nakita niyo naman mahirap ang pinagdaanan namin. ‘Yung Ateneo team binigay din nila ‘yung pinaka-100 percent nila, kaya happy ako na ‘yung players ko binigay rin ‘yung best nila kanina,” said the seasoned coach.
Cielo Bernaldez, who was not able to play in the first tie earlier in the morning, summoned all her energy to eventually finish the third singles rubber, despite surrendering three match points against eventual Rookie of the Year Jelaine Monteclaro.
The second-year upstart eventually finished the match, sending the De La Salle faithful into cheers with an 11-4, 12-10, 8-11, 13-11 victory.
Crisostomo praised the sophomore’s heart, saying, “Sobrang happy ako sa lahat ng binigay ni Cielo itong laro na ‘to. Sa ibang tournaments, hindi siya nananalo (kay Monteclaro), kaya masaya ako na nakuha niya to ngayon.”
National team standouts Angel Laude and Jannah Romero set up the two matches to none lead with this year’s MVP Laude taking care of Ann Borbon, 11-4, 11-8, 11-7, and Romero dominating Elira Docto, 11-1, 11-2, 11-5.
The Blue Eagles, though, got one back as Kaela Aguilar and Kathleene Bulaqueña fashioned out a revenge Mariana Caoile and Shyrein Redoquero in three sets, 12-10, 12-10, 11-2. Still, it was all Ateneo could manage all day long.
Caoile and Redoquero gave the Lady Green Paddlers the first tie of the series with a 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 11-5 win past Aguilar and Bulaqueña.
Ateneo matched its best finish in the event in 2019 (Season 82).
