OVERCOMING THRILLING MATCHUPS, the San Beda Red Paddlers showcased their resilience and grit on the third day of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Table Tennis Tournament at the MVP Gym yesterday, November 14.

Despite the suffering their first loss to the reigning champions, the Benilde Blazing Paddlers, 2-3, the Men’s squad bounced back by sweeping the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Table Tennis Team, 3-0. Meanwhile, the Women’s team secured a 3-1 victory against UPHSD and edged out Benilde in a nail-biting 3-2 win.

SBU vs CSB (Men’s)

The Men’s squad yielded to the Blazing Paddlers in their NCAA Season 99 finals rematch in a five-set thriller, 2-3.

During the first set, Earl Tolentino was outclassed by Benilde’s Laudato with 3-11. In the trial of redemption, Tolentino struggled with 8-11 during the second set but secured the following set with a 12-10. However, the opponent struck back again, finishing at 7-11.

Matt Andrew Ramos submitted against Deocareza’s smashes resulting in 7-11 and 6-11. Fighting attentively for San Beda’s reclamation of points, Ramos scored a set for the University, 12-10. Unfortunately, it got disrupted by the opponent as they won the final set with 6-11.

Finally, Michael Angelo Aguna and John Daryll Nominador stepped into the court to show no mercy against the Taft squad, fighting intensely against Irvin and Arvin Garcia, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5, to breathe life into the Mendiola-based squad, 1-2.

With the momentum in the Red Paddlers’ favor, Ramos once again battled back and forth against Laudato. Falling a set behind, 3-11, Ramos took back the second set at 11-9. 

Despite dropping the third set at 5-11, Ramos eventually regained his footing, dominating Laudato in the latter sets, 11-2 and 11-7, to force a deciding game five, 2-2.

Unfortunately, Tolentino failed to overcome Benilde’s Deocareza despite taking the first set at 11-8, falling short against the mounting pressure, 5-11, 4-11, 1-11, to notch their first loss in their campaign at 2-3.

SBU vs UPHSD (Men’s)

Undeterred by their loss against Benilde, the Men’s squad ended the day with a convincing win over Perpetual, 3-0.

In the opening singles, Tolentino got the upper hand against Perpetual’s Memoria, delivering a 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 victory to put the Red Paddlers ahead by a point.

Ramos followed suit by outlasting the Altas’ Amata in a gritty, 14-12, 11-8, 14-12 match victory, putting the Mendiola squad in the front seat at a 2-0 advantage.

Closing out the day, Aguna and Nominador battled through two closely contested sets against Perpetual’s Belen and Sarmiento, 11-9, 11-8. However, the duo quickly asserted their dominance in the third set with a commanding 11-4 win, securing the victory for San Beda.

SBU vs UPHSD (Women’s)

At the commencement of day three of the tournament, the Women’s team smashed lively in their 3-1 victory against Perpetual.

After losing the first set at 7-11, Danaia Reblora responded with a consistent performance, besting Perpetual’s Lucas, 11-5, 11-9, and 11-5.

However, Angelyn Joy Chavez fell behind against Ablaza, 6-11, 9-11, 7-11, to tie the game up at 1-1.

In a closely contested match that reignited hope for the Paddlers, the Perpetual duo of Celestre and Divina Gracia initially preserved the team’s chances by winning the first two sets, 5-11 and 9-11. However, Jaylyn Valencia and Novy Mae Digamon maintained their composure and brought intensity to the third set, which ended in a dramatic 14-16. The Red Paddlers then rallied in the final two sets, securing victories with scores of 11-6 and 12-10.

The final stage for singles resulted in 11-8, 12-14, and 8-11, with Reblora depriving Ablaza of a single set to snag the team victory over UPHSD.

SBU vs CSB (Women’s)

Determined to maintain their unbeaten streak, the Women’s squad clawed through a thrilling five-game matchup against the resilient Benilde, 3-2.

Opening the first singles, Nicole Gaspar narrowly lost to Benilde’s Tayag with a 10-11 score in the opening set. Fueled by determination, Gaspar fought back fiercely, securing a 14-12 win in the second set. 

At a disadvantage after dropping the third set, Gaspar kept the match alive with a hard-fought 11-9 win in the fourth set. However, Benilde’s resilience ultimately prevailed, clinching the final set 9-11 to seal the match.

For the second singles, Reblora unsuccessfully prolonged her grit, losing 9-11, 10-12, and 10-12 against Benilde’s Valdez.

The pairing of Valencia and Digamon came alive in their doubles matchup to breathe new life into the Red Paddlers, capturing a 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, and 11-8 victory against Benilde’s Reyes and Manalo. 

Reblora then avenged her earlier match loss, hitting back at Tayag with a crucial 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, and 11-7 win to stretch the game to a decider.

Determined to finish the series strong, Gaspar made sure to silence Benilde’s Valdez, 12-10, 11-7, and 11-9, to complete the reverse sweep.

With this, the Men’s team finds themselves with a 4-1 win-loss record. On the other hand, the Women’s squad improved to a 5-0 record after day three.

Revved up, relentless, and ready to reignite their momentum, the Red Paddlers continue their quest for the NCAA Season 100 crown today, November 15. The Men’s team is set to clash with Jose Rizal University (JRU) Table Tennis Bombers, while the Women’s team takes on Mapua University (MU) Table Tennis Team in their final matches heading into the semifinals.

(with Maegan Belicena)

Team-tie Scores: 

Men’s: San Beda – Benilde: 2-3

Women’s: San Beda – Perpetual: 3-1, San Beda – Benilde: 3-2

Men’s

San Beda vs Benilde
1st singles: Tolentino (L 3-11, 8-11, 12-10, 7-11), 2nd singles: Ramos (L 7-11, 6-11, 12-10, 6-11), Doubles: Aguna/Nominador (W 12-10, 11-9, 11-5), 3rd singles: Ramos (W 3-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-2, 11-7)

Women’s

San Beda vs Perpetual
1st singles: Reblora (W 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 1-5), 2nd singles: Chavez (L 6-11, 9-11, 7-11), Doubles: Valencia/Digamon (W 5-11, 9-11, 16-14, 11-6, 12-10), 3rd singles: Reblora (W 11-8, 14-12, 11-8)

San Beda vs Benilde
1st singles: Gaspar (L 10-12, 14-12, 10-12, 11-9, 9-11), 2nd singles: Reblora (L 9-11, 10-12, 10-12), Doubles: Valencia/Digamon (W 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8), 3rd singles: Reblora (W, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7), 4th singles: Gaspar (W, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9)