Tiger Paddlers complete 3-peat

University of Santo Tomas swept Ateneo de Manila University in the best-of-three Finals series for a three-peat in the University Athletic Association on the Philippines Season 85 men’s table tennis tournament Saturday at the Makati Coliseum.

Alvin Sevilla, who was named Most Valuable Player, led the charge of the Tiger Paddlers with victories in his first singles matches in both ties.

Sevilla crushed Blue Paddler Andrew Uy, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8, in the first tie before squeaking past Ateneo rookie Mahendra Cabrido, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 7-11, 14-12, in the second game.

UST banked on the duo of Al Sanchez and Prince Garcia in the doubles rubber to annex the school’s first title of the season and its 29th championship in men’s table tennis.

The pair blasted the duo of Zherdel Frasco and Sean Uy, 11-13, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9 to complete the sweep of the first tie. They then secured the title after topping Mark Parman and Sean Uy, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8.

“It’s overwhelming that we’re able to retain the championship after two years of not having a tournament because of the pandemic. Now we have a three-peat,” UST men’s head coach Jackson Que said.

Tiger Paddler Eljey Tormis bagged the Rookie of the Year award.

It’s overwhelming that we’re able to retain the championship after two years of not having a tournament because of the pandemic. Now we have a three-peat.

On the distaff side, De La Salle University spoiled UST’s attempt at a golden double after sweeping the Tigresses in their championship series showdown.

The Lady Green Paddlers relied on Angel Laude and Kyla Bernaldez to reclaim the title they ceded to UST in the past two editions of the event.

Laude took down Kaye Encarnacion in the first singles match, 11-6, 11-7, 11-4, before Bernaldez clinched the opening tie, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8, in the third singles rubber against Julie Anne de Leon.

They again gave La Salle a 2-0 lead in the second tie with Bernaldez beating Leigh Villanueva, 12-10, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, and Laude defeating Emery Digamon, 11-7, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3.

Mariana Caoile and Jhoana Go sealed the crown after scoring an 11-4, 11-4, 1012, 11-9 victory over Ciara Derecho and Sherlyn Gabisay in the doubles match.

La Salle’s Jannah Romero was crowned MVP while Far Eastern University’s Aizel Mae Rom got the ROY award.

In the high school division, La SalleZobel captured the boy’s title after dominating UST, 2-0, in the Finals series.

La Salle-Zobel’s Troy Docto was awarded MVP while UST’s Jhiven Clamucha got the top rookie recognition.

UST got back at La Salle-Zobel after dethroning its rival in a sweep of championship round behind the heroics of ROY-MVP Althea Gudes.