Green Paddlers split Day 2 matches, improve to fourth in standings
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Paddlers (3–3) split their second day of UAAP Season 86 Table Tennis matches, finishing with 2–1 record, yesterday, November 10, at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City. With these results, the Green Paddlers improved to fourth in the overall standings at the end of Round 1 eliminations.
After claiming a victory against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 3–0, the Green Paddlers succumbed to the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Men’s Table Tennis Team, 0–3. La Salle then bounced back in their last match of the day, against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 3–1.
Green Paddlers vs. UE Red Warriors
La Salle started Day 2 strong as they overpowered the UE Red Warriors, 3–0, from two sweep single matches and one 3–1 doubles match.
Elijah Yamson was the first Green Paddler up as he faced off against Johnster Rosales. It was a dominant victory for the Green and White as Yamson finished the match in just three sets, 11–6, 11–2, and 11–5.
In the second singles match for La Salle, Red Torres went head-to-head with Laridje Legaspi. This match was much closer game as both kept each other’s smashes in check. Torres sealed the first set, 11–8, and took the second set much quicker, 11–5. It was more tense game in the third with Legaspi aiming to extend the match to a fourth and fifth set, but the Green Paddler later managed to outlast the former, 11–9.
Lasallian duo Christian Crisostomo and Marvin Eder’s competing against Red Warriors Kyle Lanzaderas and Runmar Quipanes was the last matchup for both squads. UE managed to draw first blood as they took the first set, 10–12, then a close second set commenced with La Salle coming up on top, 12–10. Crisostomo and Eder then made sure to take the third and fourth sets, 11–4, 11–8, respectively to seal the Green and White’s third victory.
Green Paddlers vs. UST Men’s Table Tennis Team
In La Salle’s second match of the day, the Green Paddlers aimed to take another triumph, but was unfortunately bested by the UST Men’s Table Tennis Team, 0–3.
Yamson was once again in the opening singles match, wherein he faced-off against Alvin Sevilla. The Green Paddler attempted to take the first set, but Sevilla closed out the set with a score of 8–11. From there, UST went on to complete the sweep after winning the second and third, 6–11, and 7–11, respectively.
Rookie Torres played in DLSU’s second singles match versus John Castro. Torres struggled to get into an offensive rythm in most of the sets which ultimately led to Castro sealing the match in three sets, 4–11, 7–11, and 5–11.
Crisostomo and Eder’s doubles game against Abraham Antivo and Al Sanchez was a tightly-contested five-setter match. UST managed to take the first set, 5–11, but the Green Paddlers then went on to win the next two sets, 11–9, and 11–9. Antivo and Sanchez however managed to take the fourth set, 9–11, and brought this momentum to triumph in the fifth set, 8–11, completing the España-based squad match victory.
Green Paddlers vs. AdU Soaring Falcons
Determined to bounce back from their previous match loss, the Green Paddlers then went on to outlast the AdU Soaring Falcons, 3–1, in their last match of the day.
For the first singles match, Josiah Espinosa went up to the table to swing against Falcon Amiel Aroma. It was a close first set, but Aroma managed to take it home, 9–11, and brought this momentum to the second set, finishing it at 4–11. Espinosa attempted to extend the match into a fourth set with better smashes, but unfortunately bowed, 6–11, registering La Salle’s lone loss against AdU.
In the second singles match, Yamson prevailed over Jed Villaviray in five close sets. The Green Paddler won the first two sets, 11–4, 16–14, but Villaviray managed to steal third and fourth sets, 7–11, 12–14. In the decider set, Yamson made sure to notch the W in a dominant 11–5 performance, claiming La Salle’s first victory in the matchup.
Team Captain Eder and Crisostomo then gave the Green and White their second triumph versus Jhon Balucus and Aldrean Gacho. The former made quick work of the match in three sets, 11–6, 14–12, and 11–4.
The last matchup of the Green Paddlers saw Torres going up against Amiel Sumadsad with the former putting on a dominant showing to win in a sweep, 11–5, 11–5, and 11–9.
The Green Paddlers aim to keep their momentum going as they take on the next round of eliminations.
