University of Santo Tomas secured its place in both the UAAP Season 86 High School Girls’ and Boys’ Finals after maintaining unblemished 8-0 records at the end of the first day of the second round of eliminations on Tuesday at the Amoranto Sports Complex Arena in Quezon City.
The defending champions Junior Lady Paddlers had a flawless run in three contests during the day, achieving identical 3-0 sweeps against University of the Philippines Integrated School and Ateneo High School, and a 3-1 rout of Adamson University.
Second-year upstart Padmae Vivas once again shone for UST, aiming for a back-to-back title, winning two of her assignments for the day. Vivas defeated Fighting Maroon Ashley Sapatua, 11-1, 11-1, 11-7, before teaming up with Ira Dayahan to conquer Blue Eagles Maxine Lo and Aoi Reyes, 11-6, 11-2, 11-5.
Vivas and Dayahan experienced a setback against Lady Baby Falcons Sophia Beloso and Angeline Corcuera, 11-6, 3-11, 15-13, 5-11, 8-11, but J-An Sanchez prevented a decider with an 11-2, 11-6, 11-4 victory over Mariel Robles to maintain the flawless record and keep the reigning champion in the hunt for an elimination-round sweep.
University of the East is currently in second place with a 7-1 record, and the Junior Lady Warriors are one win away from returning to the Finals since Season 71, a season in which they won both high school titles.
The UST boys’ squad also made its move after overcoming the challenge of UPIS, Ateneo, and De La Salle Zobel with similar 3-0 sweeps.
Junior Tiger Paddler Jad Sandoval collaborated with two different teammates to emerge victorious in the two doubles matches he participated in.
Sandoval and Emmanuel Paculba easily defeated Blue Eagles Matthew Basco and Benedicto Ramos, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4. Later, the rookie out of F. Benitez Memorial School partnered with Jebb Datahan in a relatively tighter 11-8, 12-14, 11-6, 11-6 victory over Junior Green Paddlers Gabriel Ravanzo and Troy Rodriguez.
The Adamson Baby Falcons are currently in second place with a 7-1 win-loss slate and appear poised to join UST in the championship round with a subsequent win on Wednesday.
The second round of eliminations draws to a close on Wednesday at the same Diliman venue.
