UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas achieved a historic event sweep in the UAAP Season 87 Table Tennis Tournaments, claiming season sweeps in both the men’s and women’s divisions on Tuesday at the Homecourt, Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
The Tiger Paddlers roared to a 3-1 victory in Tie 2 of the Finals against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, clinching their fifth consecutive crown and their 31st overall championship.
Simultaneously, the Lady Paddlers dominated the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 3-0, in their second Finals contest, capturing their 14th title and first since Season 82 in 2019.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
This marks only the second event sweep in UAAP table tennis since Season 78 (2015), when De La Salle University and De La Salle-Zobel ruled all divisions.
UST also showcased dominance in the high school division, completing season sweeps that included 2-0 Finals series wins against Adamson University in the boys’ division and De La Salle Zobel in the girls’ division.
Season 85 MVP Alvin Sevilla sealed UST’s 44th consecutive win, dating back to Season 81 (2018), with a thrilling 3-11, 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 11-5 victory over Ateneo captain Mahendra Cabrido.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
This triumph was pivotal in securing the team’s five-peat in this tournament supported by Akari, Topcoms Marketing, and Hua Ching Foundation.
“Siyempre happy tayo na nakuha natin ‘tong five-peat, but this is actually the first time na sobrang overwhelmed ako. Dahil ‘yun sa mga seniors natin na talagang they stayed to fight for UST. Pwede naman silang mag-trabaho na, pero they stayed talaga to fight with us,” shared long-time mentor Jackson Que.
“Masayang-masaya ko and very thankful ako sa kanila kasi pinakita nila na mahal na mahal nila ang UST at ‘yung buong team,” he added.
Eventual Most Valuable Player Eljay Tormis set the tone for Tie 2 with a commanding 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-3 victory over Victor De Asis.
Last season’s MVP John Michael Castro extended the lead with a clinical 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 win against Season 86 Rookie of the Year Rod Andree Garcia.
While Ateneo’s Wrency Abad and Zherdel Francisco managed to win the doubles match against Abraham Antivo and Prince Garcia, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4, the Blue Eagles could not hold off UST, as Sevilla secured the season sweep with a decisive singles win.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the women’s side, Corrine Cartera and Kathlyn Gabisay sealed the Lady Paddlers’ championship with an emphatic 11-4, 11-7, 11-8 victory over FEU’s Glieza Ampalid and Krisha Reyes.
“I’m happy kasi lahat ng plano namin nag-work at itong panalo ibinigay ng Diyos. Nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng tumulong at sa lahat ng players na nagsumikap. Ito ay para sa UST talaga,” said head coach Lorinda Wajad.
Althea Gudes, who was named both Rookie of the Year and MVP, solidified UST’s lead with an 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 sweep of Miriam Martinez.
Earlier, Alliah Encarnacion staged a remarkable comeback to beat Aizel Rom, 9-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 14-12, putting UST on the board.
In the men’s division, Rookie of the Year Joshua Manlapaz delivered a crucial victory in the first tie, defeating Andrew Uy, 12-10, 10-12, 11-6, 13-11.
Meanwhile, Encarnacion secured a 1-0 series lead for the women’s team with an 11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7 win over Ashly Sobrevilla.
