The DLSU Lady Paddlers maintained their perfect record in UAAP Season 80 as they triumphed over the AdU Lady Falcons and UST Golden Tigresses yesterday at the UP Diliman Human Kinetics Gym. Meanwhile, the DLSU Green Paddlers triumphed over the FEU Tamaraws and NU Bulldogs which earned them a playoff game against the UE Red Warriors for the final spot in the semifinals later in the day. Unfortunately for the men’s team, they were unable to advance to the Final Four.
Elimination round sweep
The defending champions remained undefeated in the elimination round after defeating AdU and UST to earn an automatic spot in the finals. 2017 SEA Games representative Jamaica Sy opened the match against AdU with a dominating 3-0 win over Chavez.
Chantal Alberto won with the same scoreline as she prevailed over AdU’s Jarito in the second singles match-up. The doubles pair of Mardeline Carreon and Carresha Bernaldez clinched the win for DLSU after completing a comeback in their 3-2 win over Dinglasan and Pangantijon.
In the afternoon, reigning Most Valuable Player Emy Dael and Alberto both won their respective matches with a scoreline of 3-1 to give La Salle an early advantage against UST. Carreon and Bernaldez then failed to subdue UST, as they lost 3-0 in their doubles match.
After, UST tied the match at 2-2 after Millana bested rookie Ina Co, 3-2, in a tightly contested match-up. Sy, however, was able to defeat her opponent, 3-1, in another close match to ensure an unblemished record for the Lady Paddlers heading into the finals.
Disappointing end
Tarak Cabrido triumphed over FEU’s Villanueva, 3-1, to start the match-up but Francis Garganian lost his singles match, 3-2, to even up the match at 1-1. The doubles pair of Nathan Siasco and Ralph Nones dispatched their opponents easily, 3-0, to give La Salle the advantage against FEU.
DLSU’s Edward So, who is vying for the Rookie of the Year award, failed to clinch the match-up for the Lasallians as he succumbed to FEU’s Caballero in the third singles match. Edward Ocon assured the Green Paddlers their third win in the second round by beating Santiago, 3-2, in a close game.
The Green Paddlers finished the second round of eliminations with a massive win over NU, 3-0, to send them level with UE at the fourth spot. This allowed the Green Paddlers to face-off against the Red Warriors for the third time this season with the fourth seed at stake but they eventually lost, 3-2, to settle for a fifth place finish this season.
For the Green Paddlers, the loss marked the end of their Season 79 campaign, while the Lady Paddlers will play on Monday, October 9, as they challenge for the championship still undefeated.
