Reigning champion University of Santo Tomas in the boys’ division and National Academy of Sports in the girls’ division became the first teams to secure Final Four berths in the UAAP Season 89 High School Table Tennis Team Events on Monday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Junior Tiger Paddlers needed just six matches across their assignments against De La Salle Santiago Zobel School and Adamson University, sweeping both ties, 3–0, to move closer to another title run despite the tournament’s new format.
“We won’t know ‘yung magiging result kasi lahat mag-aadjust naman pero we’re hoping na magiging maganda ‘yung result,” said head coach Jackson Que. “Very satisfied and confident kami sa team (so far) na nagpe-perform sila nang maganda, and lahat naman nagco-contribute.”
Franz Acasio set the tone in both ties, cruising past DLSZ’s Juan Rafael Moral, 11–5, 11–3, 11–6, before dominating Adamson’s Mark Rainniel Ramos, 11–8, 11–6, 11–4.
Emmanuel Paculba followed Acasio’s lead with an 11–5, 11–5, 11–7 sweep of Junior Green Paddler Ezekiel Vicente before Paul Agunod and Collins Canalin completed the sweep with an 11–4, 11–6, 11–8 victory over Adrian Utrera and Legolas Oblina.
Joshua Bañas doubled UST’s advantage against the Baby Falcons with an 11–2, 11–5, 11–2 sweep of Lee Elazegui. Canalin and Agunod then wrapped up the tie once more, defeating Loudrix Morales and John Asher Fresco, 11–6, 11–5, 9–11, 11–4.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
On the girls’ side, NAS continued to impress, becoming the first team to secure a Final Four berth after defeating University of the Philippines Integrated School and University of the East via identical 3–0 sweeps.
Myzette Torres helped set up both victories, giving NAS a 2–0 advantage with an 11–7, 11–6, 6–11, 11–4 victory over UPIS’ Pia Ducanes before sweeping UE’s Allaine Alexis Lopez, 11–3, 11–7, 11–5.
Kloe Cascolan dominated her opening match against Fighting Maroon Julianne Tancioco, 11–2, 11–1, 11–2, before Zoellen Samson and Ghianne Cordova took care of Alishia Buquid and Mary Angelique Diolola, 11–8, 11–7, 11–6, to complete the sweep.
Ayesha Cuenta remained undefeated after opening the tie against UE with an 11–5, 13–11, 11–5 victory over erstwhile unbeaten Junior Lady Warrior Cyra Davo. Cascolan and Samson then completed the sweep with an 11–9, 11–8, 11–3 win over Lei Perez and Nadima Baholoy.
The NAS Excel Lions and UE Junior Warriors moved closer to semifinal spots in the boys’ division, holding identical 3–1 records behind UST. DLSZ followed at 2–2.
Meanwhile, reigning girls’ champion UST Junior Lady Paddlers remained within striking distance of NAS, carrying a 3–1 record of their own. UE, DLSZ, and UPIS followed the top two teams with identical 2–2 slates.
