University of Santo Tomas fended off a strong challenge from Far Eastern University, 3-2, to extend its winning streak to ten at the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Table Tennis Tournament on Saturday at the Homecourt at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
The Lady Paddlers also moved within two Sunday contests (against the University of the Philippines and University of the East) of an elimination-round sweep and an outright Finals berth.
Alliah Encarnacion denied the Lady Tamaraws the upset, winning 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6 in the fourth and deciding singles match against Julianah Mosuelo.
Julie Anne De Leon and Kathlyn Gabisay had earlier completed the 3-0 sweep of Adamson, securing UST’s ninth win, 13-15, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5, over Nicole Dave and Trisha Ramoneda.
FEU remains in second place with an 8-2 record, still within reach of a semifinals incentive, either a twice-to-beat advantage or a bye in the stepladder, despite the loss to UST.
Senior Aizel Rom closed out the 3-1 morning victory against UE, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5, over Danica Galang.
The Lady Tamaraws hold a two-contest cushion over the De La Salle University Lady Green Paddlers, who are at 6-4, after splitting the day’s assignments.
La Salle’s Shyrein Redoquero won the deciding fourth singles match against Ateneo de Manila University’s Kathleene Bulaqueña, 8-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 12-10, but could not replicate her heroics against University of the Philippines’ Althaea Salvador later in the afternoon.
Salvador, a former De La Salle Zobel standout, pulled off the upset in the deciding singles rubber to give UP its second win of the season, 13-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-4.
On the men’s side, reigning champions UST extended their run to 40 contests, following 3-0 sweeps of Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson University.
Abraham Antivo and Prince Garcia clinched the win over the Blue Eagles, 12-10, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, against Victor De Asis and Zherdel Francisco. Cayl Chavez and Al J Sanchez won against the Soaring Falcons, 13-11, 13-11, 11-6, over Benedict Rabaya and Jhon Balucos.
La Salle remains in second place at 7-3 after a two-contest sweep on the day, including a 3-2 squeaker against UP.
Troy Docto, the Season 85 Boys’ MVP, defeated John Henry Pacis, 11-13, 11-9, 11-6, 11-9, to put the Green Paddlers ahead in the race for the semifinals’ incentive.
Adamson and Ateneo are both tied in third to fourth places with identical 6-4 records.
The last day of the eliminations is set for Sunday, starting at 8 a.m.
