Ateneo Advances to UAAP Season 88 Men’s Table Tennis Finals

Ateneo de Manila University clinched their place in the UAAP Season 88 men’s table tennis finals, edging out Far Eastern University with a 3-2 victory on Thursday night at the Amoranto Sports Arena in Diliman, Quezon City.

The Blue Eagles sealed their finals berth by winning the decisive singles match where Wrency Abad defeated Dane Piala in straight sets, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6. This victory sets up a title clash against the defending champions, the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Paddlers.

Earlier in the contest, FEU’s Peter Shean Cubio overcame Ateneo’s Mahendra Cabrido with a 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9 result, while Ateneo’s Rod Andree Garcia edged out Christian Golez 11-9, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10.

The Blue Eagles initially took the lead when rookies CJ Yamson and Gabriel Docto defeated the FEU duo Claer Riego and Louis Sacay in straight sets, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8. However, FEU leveled the score at 2-all following Renz De Guzman’s 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 victory against Andrew Uy.

In the women’s division, the University of Santo Tomas held on to their championship hopes by narrowly overcoming De La Salle University with a 3-2 scoreline.

UST’s rookie Kaye Manada emerged as the key player, rallying for a four-set win over Shyrein Redoquerio, 13-15, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6. Earlier matches saw UST’s Kaye Encarnacion defeat Kyle Cielo Bernaldez, 11-7, 17-15, 11-9, while La Salle’s Angel Laude responded with a commanding 11-5, 11-8, 11-2 victory against Janna Mae Paculba.

Doubles play saw La Salle’s Cello Caoile and Sharina Mendoza overpower UST’s Samantha Bandojo and Jaylyn Valencia in a tight five-set match, 11-7, 7-11, 11-2, 7-11, 11-7. The scores were evened once more when UST’s last year’s Rookie MVP Althea Gudes defeated Lillian Ebora, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8.

These results set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to UAAP Season 88 table tennis competitions.