Fresh from their dominating first round in the UAAP Table Tennis Championship, the De La Salle University Green and Lady Paddlers were all set to make their presence felt again in the second. Warmed up for their next series of battles, both squads quickly established their dominance as they both finished the second round unscathed and stand strong at first place.
Green Paddlers
Led by team captain Walden Ledesma, the Green Paddlers were quick to quash any resistance that faced them. They routed their first opponents, the National University, with ease to win 3-1. Then there was no looking back as they barreled their way through their remaining opponents. After beating the University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University both 3-1 despite their spirited opposition, the Green Paddlers decimated the University of the East to go home with an overwhelming 3-0 victory.
The second day of the second round held more of the same as the Green Paddlers charged their way past rival Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson University with ease, finishing them off 3-0. The match against the University of Santo Tomas proved a more difficult challenge as despite a strong lead – created by Ledesma and fellow veteran Jethro Latco – Edmund Garganian, and rookies Tarak Cabrido and John Mateo failed to defend against the UST assault. Thankfully, DLSU Francis Garganian was able to mount a counterattack to win the final eliminations game 3-2.
Lady Paddlers
Veteran and national player, team captain Ian Lariba led her team to quickly see off any competition. Sweeping all opponents except UP, the Lady Paddlers made clear why they are the incumbent champions and are in strong contention to remain that way.
The Lady Paddlers were quick to overwhelm their first opponents in this round. Starting with the fall of UST, then destroying the teams from UE, UP and NU, the Lady Paddlers ended the first day of the second round with a 3-0 sweep of all 4 schools.
The second day saw DLSU begin by sweeping AdU and ADMU. The Lady Paddlers experienced blip against an FEU side that nearly caused an upset. Overcoming the blow dealt by Lariba and Emy Dael, FEU defeated DLSU’s duo of Ina Co and Mardeline Carreon, along with Jamaica Sy, to nearly win the match. Luckily for DLSU, their undefeated streak was left intact through the efforts Donna Gamilla, who won the match for the Paddlers.
In sweeping the second round of both divisions, the Green and Lady Paddlers are both poised to defend their championship titles.
