The stage is ready for another smashing season as the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Paddlers and De La Salle University Lady Paddlers launch their respective championship campaigns in the UAAP Season 87 Table Tennis Tournament.
The action kicks off this Sunday at the Home Court, Ayala Malls Manila Bay – the venue that hosted the UAAP Season 86 3×3 Basketball Tournaments earlier this year.
Reigning men’s champion UST is on a mission to secure a historic five-peat and extend its record to 31 UAAP titles.
Leading the charge are junior Eljay Jan Tormis and sophomore Abraham Antivo IV, whose leadership and skill make them formidable contenders for another championship run.
But competition is fierce.
Season 86 Rookie of the Year Andree Garcia will spearhead the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ pursuit of glory. Meanwhile, Adamson University and Far Eastern University aim to pull off surprises and shake up the standings.
The Tiger Paddlers begin their campaign with a double-header against the Soaring Falcons and the Tamaraws.
In the women’s division, the spotlight falls on the Lady Paddlers, who are eyeing a third consecutive crown.
National team standout and reigning MVP Angelou Laude leads their charge, looking to fend off challenges from seasoned contenders and hungry upstarts alike.
Ateneo’s Jelaine Monteclaro, last season’s Rookie of the Year, has determined to anchor her team’s resurgence.
On the other hand, traditional powerhouses UST and FEU seek to reclaim dominance.
The Lady Paddlers will test their mettle on opening day against the Lady Tamaraws and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
The collegiate tournament follows a double round-robin elimination format, with the first round scheduled from Sunday to Tuesday and the second round from Wednesday to Friday.
The top four teams from the eliminations will advance to the Final Four, culminating in a championship showdown next weekend.
In the high school division, the Junior Tiger Paddlers of UST aim to replicate last season’s remarkable “golden double,” defending their titles in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
