The University of Santo Tomas men’s table tennis team knocked out the Far Easter University to setup a duel with DLSU in the UAAP Season 78 Men’s Table Tennis finals.
The UST Growling Tigers held a twice-to-beat advantage against the FEU Tamaraws, having finished second at the end of the elimination round with a record of 12-2. FEU finished third at 9-5.
The Growling Tigers ended the series with in a sweeping, routine 3-1 victory.
FEU’s Victor Dalut Jr. won the first match at the expense of UST’s Paul Que. It took five sets; Dalut Jr. won the first with a score of 11-5, then the second 11-8. Determined despite being two sets down, Que won the next two 12-10 and 11-5. But even if Que had momentum, Dalut Jr. regained his composure to win the fifth set 11-6 and the match 3-2.
It was all UST afterwards, as they won the next three matches.
Gil Ablanque (UST) defeated Francis Igno (FEU) in four sets. Igno took the first set 11-7 but Ablanque roared his way back and won three consecutive sets 11-7, 11-7 and 11-9 to claim the match 3-1.
Norielle Pantoja and Alberto Bazar stepped up for UST in the doubles match while FEU sent on Rommer Caballero and CJ Villanueva. The Growling Tigers took the first set 11-7; the Tamaraws recovered to take the second by the same score. But FEU failed to capitalize on the win, allowing the Growling Tigers to win the third and fourth sets 11-7 and 11-6 respectively, and the doubles encounter 3-1.
With the series and the finals place in the balance, it was up to Adolfo Bazar of UST to end FEU’s run in Season 78. Up against Bazar was Abner Osorno. Bazar made light work of Osorno, sweeping the tie 3-0 with set scores of 11-8, 11-9 and 11-7. The statement win booked UST’s place in the final.
UST will now face DLSU in a best of three series tomorrow, October 29, 2015, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to determine who wins the championship. It will be an exciting finals series since both schools have beaten one another in the elimination round this Season 78.
