University of Santo Tomas led the pack with identical 3-0 win-loss records in the UAAP Season 86 High School Girls’ and Boys’ Table Tennis tournaments on Thursday at the Amoranto Sports Complex Arena.
The Junior Lady Paddlers’ campaign for a back-to-back title is in full swing with perfect 3-0 sweeps of their contests against University of the Philippines Integrated School, Ateneo High School, and University of the East.
Padmae Vivas swept her three doubles assignments to clinch the ties for UST, starting with an 11-3, 11-2, 11-5 collaboration with Samantha Bandojo over UPIS’ Marra Monterico and Michi Sugawara.
The 16-year-old upstart and Ira Dayahan then conquered Ateneo’s Princess Jaramilla and Reizel Coco, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4, and UE’s Daisy Calo and Vhernalie Cruz, 17-15, 6-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6.
The boys’ side likewise ended the first day unscathed after three contests, defeating UPIS, UE, and Ateneo.
Rookie Laurence Cuaycong clinched the tie for the Junior Paddlers against the Fighting Maroons and the Blue Eagles, beginning with a significant 11-2, 11-6, 11-1 win with Emmanuel Paculba against UPIS’ Lucas Lagunzad and Jayson Alinabon.
The F. Benitez Memorial School product then closed the day with an 11-6, 11-5, 11-3 victory with Kloyd Reyes over Chili Fernando and Ethan Peña-Reyes of Ateneo.
Last year’s runner-up De La Salle Zobel finished with a share of the lead in the girls’ side at 3-0, while UE jumped over Adamson at 2-1 for the third spot.
The Baby Falcons, though, took a share of the lead at 3-0, tying with UST in the boys’ division after a significant 3-1 decider against titleholders DLSZ.
The Junior Green Paddlers stood at third with a 2-1 record.
The first round of eliminations ends on Friday at the same Diliman venue.
