Quezon: Ateneo de Manila University reached the UAAP Season 88 men's table tennis finals by defeating Far Eastern University, 3-2, at the Amoranto Sports Arena in Diliman. Wrency Abad clinched the decisive singles match with a 11-8, 11-4, 11-6 victory over Dane Piala, setting up a title clash with the reigning champions, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Paddlers.
According to Philippines News Agency, FEU's Peter Shean Cubio overcame Mahendra Cabrido, 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, while Ateneo's Rod Andree Garcia secured a win against Christian Golez, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10. The rookies CJ Yamson and Gabriel Docto put Ateneo in the lead by defeating Claer Riego and Louis Sacay, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8. However, Renz De Guzman tied the score for FEU, defeating Andrew Uy, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7.
In the women's division, UST kept their title defense alive with a narrow 3-2 victory over De La Salle University. Rookie Kaye Manada emerged as the hero with a win over Shyrein Redoquerio, 13-15, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6. Kaye Encarnacion's victory over Kyle Cielo Bernaldez, 11-7, 17-15, 11-9, was followed by La Salle's Angel Laude defeating Janna Mae Paculba, 11-5, 11-8, 11-2. The duo of Cello Caoile and Sharina Mendoza overcame Samantha Bandojo and Jaylyn Valencia, 11-7, 7-11, 11-2, 7-11, 11-7. UST levelled the score with last year's Rookie-MVP Althea Gudes winning against Lillian Ebora, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8.
