While they took contrasting routes to get there, both the DLSU Green Paddlers and Lady Paddlers are back in the finals of UAAP Table Tennis Competition, giving La Salle an opportunity to have an unprecedented third consecutive double championship in table tennis. The undefeated Lady Paddlers booked an automatic ticket back to the finals of Season 79, while the Green Paddlers overcame a sixth-place finish in the elimination rounds to stay in contention for the championship.
Smooth sailing for the Lady Paddlers
Despite losing Olympian Ian Lariba, the Lady Paddlers dominated Season 79 thus far with a perfect record, securing themselves a seat in the championship round. The team’s 14 wins did not come easy as some of its games went the complete distance. However, the Lady Paddlers’ composure, championship experience, and great game shape allowed them to overcome their opponents.
Even with their current record, the Lady Paddlers will not rest until they have won the best-of-three series over arguably one of their toughest rivals this season, the UST Growling Tigresses. History has shown that being the top seed does not guarantee success as the Lady Paddlers fell to the UP Lady Maroons in Season 76 despite holding a thrice-to-beat advantage in the finals. That setback proved to be DLSU’s motivation for the following seasons, with championship-winning efforts in Season 77 and 78.
“Actually, expectation ni coach [Lauro Crisostomo] na magchampion again and I think it’s a lot of pressure,” Lady Paddlers team captain Jamaica Sy told The LaSallian prior to the start of the competition.
Tumultuous journey of the Green Paddlers
It wasn’t an easy feat for the Green Paddlers to secure a place in the championship games. Armed with a young lineup, they struggled against more seasoned opponents and ended up in sixth place and at the bottom of the stepladder Final Four. Against all odds, however, the Green Paddlers won five straight games against FEU, UP, UE, and a well-rested NU, who had a twice-to-beat advantage, in the knockout rounds.
Having played nearly 20 games, a fatigued Green Paddlers squad will be heading towards the finals with momentum and motivation knowing that youth has not been a hindrance to their march to the finals. Despite struggling in the elimination round, their five-game win against NU and their losses to UP and UST have allowed them to go through a quicker maturation process amid the loss of their key veteran players.
It will be a DLSU-UST affair in the finals as the Green Paddlers and the Growling Tigers will square off in a rematch of last season’s championship series. La Salle will be seeking its fourth straight title in the men’s division. All eyes will also be on the Lady Paddlers as they chase their third straight championship against the Growling Tigresses in what will once again be a thrilling series. Both championship rounds will begin on Wednesday, October 26, at 8 am in the Blue Eagle Gym.
“Iba yung games sa UAAP eh,” Sy mentioned. “There are a lot of cheers, a lot of expectations.”
