(Photo courtesy of UAAP)
MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas (UST) secured two semifinal berths in the men’s doubles competition of the UAAP Season 89 table tennis individual tournament at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City on Friday.
UST captain Abraham Antivo IV and Ruiz Marcelino defeated Adamson University’s Leiandro Fresco and Sharif Abirin, 11-3, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, to advance to the Final Four.
The UST pair will face De La Salle University’s Red Torres and Joseph Noriega Jr., who swept University of the Philippines’ (UP) Benz Florida and Earl Tolentino, 11-6, 14-12, 11-5.
Antivo, the reigning Most Valuable Player, credited their improved chemistry and previous tournament experience for their strong performance.
“Siyempre malaking tulong ‘yung experience dati, pero mas iba po ‘yung bond namin ngayon kasi mas naging close pa kasi sa isa’t-isa. Mas lalong naging dikit pa kami; halos araw-araw magkasama sabay kumain, sabay mag-training,” the 21-year-old said.
He added that their stronger relationship has helped improve their coordination and overall gameplay.
UST’s Joshua Manlapaz and Dirk Atilano also advanced after defeating Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Christian Golez and Justine Rama, 12-9, 11-9, 11-8.
They will battle Ateneo’s Zherdel Fresco and Carlos Docto, who eliminated FEU’s Julian Del Rosario and Ralph Digamon, 11-7, 5-11, 12-10, 11-4.
Meanwhile, FEU secured two semifinal spots in the women’s doubles division.
Christine Golez and Shairah Gabisay swept UP’s Maan Gumobao and Khorquina Lozada, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9.
FEU’s Cats Sarmiento and Krisha Reyes also advanced after overcoming UP’s Bethel Sadora and Faye Obaña, 7-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-4.
UST’s Kaye Denise Encarnacion and Trexiemay Alarcon joined the semifinalists following a convincing 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 victory over Ateneo’s Andrea Deondo and Jelaine Monteclaro.
Completing the women’s doubles Final Four were Ateneo’s Anna Sophia Fabregar and Aubrey Solis, who rallied past UST’s Janna Paculba and Kaye Alliah Encarnacion, 5-11, 11-7, 14-12, 11-6.
The semifinals for both singles and doubles events are scheduled for Sunday, November 15, beginning at 8 a.m., with the championship matches set for the afternoon.
