It was business as usual for the University of Santo Tomas in the second elimination round of the UAAP Season 78 Table Tennis Tournaments. Once again, the Growling Tigers almost swept the current elimination round 6-1 while the Lady Tigresses had another 4-3. Overall, the Growling Tigers finished second in the standings at 12-2 and earned a twice-to-beat advantage over FEU, while the Lady Tigresses entered the post-season at 8-6 to earn a playoff tie against UP.
Growling Tigers have an eye for the finals
It was another strong showing by the UST Growling Tigers as they endured only one defeat in the second round, which came against defending champions De La Salle University. It was a hard fought tie with DLSU prevailing 2-3 in the end. UST’s Gil Ablanque and Adolfo Bazar Jr. lost in five sets to DLSU’s Walden Ledesma and Jethro Yatco respectively in their singles matches. Christian Abendan and Norielle Pantojo pulled one back for UST in the doubles match at the expense of DLSU’s Edmund Gargarian and Tarak Cabrido via a 3-0 sweep. UST equalized the tie through Paul Que’s 3-1 win over DLSU’s Ed Mateo. Befittingly, the last match of the tie was another five set thriller as UST’s Alberto Bazar faltered to Francis Garganian, who won the tie for DLSU
The National Team Bulldogs had upset the Growling Tigers in first round, and the Growling Tigers were out for revenge. They contrived not to make the same mistakes against the Bulldogs, dispatching them in a routine 3-1 win. Ablanque won against NU’s Carl Carrasco in four sets. UST’s Que then lost to NU’s John Misal due to the latter’s 0-3 sweep. NU’s Pantoja and Alberto Bazar defeated Cloyd Villamor and Mervin Morado in straight sets to give retake the lead in the tie. Lastly, Adolfo Bazar swept NU’s Eduardo Manuel to clinch the tie.
The Growling Tigers swept their opposites from the University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, University of the East, and Adamson University 3-0 to win their remaining ties. They will face FEU to reach the finals.
Lady Tigresses narrowly make it to the Final Four
An inconsistent run marked the second elimination round for the Lady Tigresses. It was a similar story to the first round where the Lady Tigresses finished with a 4-3 record. Nonetheless, the UST squad can still be satisfied after they secured the last Final Four slot with an 8-6 record.
The Lady Tigresses were swept by defending champions DLSU Lady Archers. Danica Alburo and Celinber Montes were defeated by Ian Lariba and Jamaica Sy by 0-3 scorelines. Lady Tigresses Juvylyn Robles and Katrina Tempiatura tried to pull one back, but DLSU’s Ina Co and Mardeline Carreon overpowered them in five sets.
Likewise, fellow championship contenders UP and FEU defeated the Lady Tigresses. UP enjoyed a narrow five match victory (2-3) while FEU had a strong win over UST (1-3).
Wins for the Lady Tigresses came in 3-0 sweeps of NU, ADMU, and AdU, and a 3-1 triumph over UE.
The Lady Tigresses will now face UP to advance to the next round of the step-ladder scenario due to DLSU remaining undefeated after the elimination round.
