University of Santo Tomas extended its stronghold on the lead in both the UAAP Season 86 High School Girls’ and Boys’ Table Tennis tournaments with immaculate 5-0 records at the end of the first round of eliminations on Friday at the Amoranto Sports Complex Arena.
The defending girls’ titleholder fended off Adamson University and De La Salle Zobel with similar 3-2 results to protect its immaculate record, all thanks to Trexiemay Alarcon’s heroics in both contests.
Alarcon dominated Lady Baby Falcons’ Mariel Robles, 11-7, 11-2, 11-9, before taking care of DLSZ’s Isabelle Bernal in a marathon, 8-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5, to pace the Junior Lady Paddlers in the sweep.
University of the East was the surprise second-placer after the first round with a 4-1 win-loss record after denying last year’s runner-up in a 3-0 sweep, relegating the latter to third place at 3-2.
The boys’ squad of the Junior Paddlers also stayed undefeated after five contests this season with surprising 3-0 wins against title contenders Adamson and De La Salle Zobel.
UST proved its depth after two different doubles pairs clinched the victories for them.
Anton Bayona and Jhaiven Clamucha conquered Adamson’s Leighnard Bartolo and Jhon Mongas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9, while Kloyd Reyes and Jad David Sandoval shook off DLSZ’s Darius Austria and Troy Rodriguez, 13-11, 12-10, 14-12, to maintain the spotless record of the Junior Tiger Paddlers.
Adamson rose to the second spot with a 4-1 win-loss card, while UE stayed in third at 3-2.
The second round of eliminations will start on Wednesday at 8:00 AM in the same Diliman venue.
