From UAAP Media Team

By Maxine Agno

The Ateneo Table Tennis teams closed out their UAAP Season 88 campaign at the Amoranto Stadium, finishing the four-day elimination round that ended on Wednesday, November 19. In the boys’ division, the team managed a 2–8 record, placing fifth in the final standings. The girls’ team faced a harder road, ending the elimination round with a 0–10 clean-slate loss, finishing last in the competition, while keeping spirits high and eyes on technical growth.

Boys’ Division

The Boys’ Team clutched a 3–1 win over the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS). Timothy Andrei Micaich Pachica was defeated by Yuji Lope 3–0 in a very close match: 15–13, 11–8, 11–9. Reily Jude Emmanuel Yap dominated all frames, winning against Daniela Thiago Luna 11–4, 11–3, 11–5.

The pair of Gareth Arcedera and Aston Alonso Panlaqui pulled off a win against Aaron Dela Cruz and Jaynish Vargas, while Rajel Quiming edged out Kurt Durante in close games: 12–10, 13–15, 11–9, 11–7.

Ateneo narrowly lost the tie with a 2–3 team score to De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ). Pachica won a thrilling five-frame battle against Junyu Long: 11–7, 15–13, 9–11, 12–14, 11–3. Yap could not overcome Darius Austria in four games: 7–11, 10–12, 11–6, 9–11. Arcedera and Team Captain Matt Basco were bested by Troy Rodriguez and Ezekiel Vicente in the doubles match: 7–11, 7–11, 2–11.

Quiming was dominant in his singles match, winning 3–0 against Inigo Tolentino: 11–1, 11–5, 11–6. Panlaqui was outplayed by Timothy Anceno, 2–11, 7–11, 4–11.

Girls’ Division

The girls suffered a 1–3 defeat from strong contender University of the East (UE). Louisse Cassandra Ang was swept aside by Lei Timothy Perez in a 0–3 shutout: 7–11, 6–11, 6–11. El Zechariah Gamez won a hard-fought singles match 3–0 against Allyza Rocero: 14–12, 17–15, 11–8.

Team Captain Felicity De Viana and Carmen Andrea Mangubat were dominated by Nadima Baholoy and Cyra Davo in the doubles face-off, 6–11, 5–11, 5–11. Liz Margareth Estanislao registered straight-game losses to Farhana Abdul, with a consistent 4–11 tally.

The team then took two wins out of three matches against UPIS. De Viana could not mount the challenge and fell in straight games: 3–11, 6–11, 2–11 to Olympia Ducanes. Ang took a win from Ashley Sapatua, 11–9, 4–11, 11–5, 7–11, 11–9. 

Duo Gamez and Mangubat outscored Himaya Coquilla and Margaret Espinosa in straight frames: 11–6, 12–10, 11–4. Estanislao was blanked by Andrea Azucar: 6–11, 4–11, 7–11. Giellian Froyalde lost the singles match despite winning two games against Julianne Tancioco: 7–11, 7–11, 11–4, 11–4, 7–11.

The girls ended their season campaign in 0–3 straight-frame defeats to DLSZ. De Viana was unable to keep up with Andrea Reblora’s attacks, losing 2–11, 1–11, 5–11. Gamez also could not contain Kimberly Odelmo, resulting in a swift loss: 7–11, 7–11, 6–11. The duo of Ang and Mangubat was outplayed by Kathelyn Embile and Sari Velasco, losing their final chance to add to their scoreboard: 3–11, 4–11, 8–11.

Reflecting on the campaign, Basco spoke about the team’s position and praised their unwavering commitment.

“I would say the team’s performance was a hard effort. We didn’t really have the amount of talent that was able to compete against the higher 3 (UST, AdU, UE) but we were able to make-do with what we have, and I’m really proud of my team,” he said.

Meanwhile, De Viana shared that her team’s fight is their greatest achievement in the competition. “Even if we left the competition empty-handed, we never failed to do our best and pour our hearts into every match,” she said.

She also stated that her only order to the rookies and the entire team is to go all in on every point, which De Viana noted is exactly what the team did in their campaign.