UAAP: FEU women rule table tennis team event

MANILA — Far Eastern University overcame rivals University of Santo Tomas, 3-1, to claim the inaugural team event gold in the UAAP Season 89 table tennis competition on Wednesday at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

Shairah Gabisay secured the team gold for the Lady Tamaraws, overcoming Kaye Denise Encarnacion in the final match with a 12–10, 11–3, 11–7 victory to complete FEU’s unbeaten 8–0 campaign.

“Ang mindset po talaga namin is mag-enjoy lang sa game. Hindi dapat isipin na since nag-champion kami, makukuha ulit namin ngayon. Kalma lang, relax lang kami, kasi ito talaga ‘yung iniintay namin eh,” shared the FEU senior and co-captain.

That composure was evident in the Lady Tamaraws’ performance, even after UST drew first blood through Althea Gudes, who pulled off a dominant 11–8, 11–3, 11–2 sweep of Mikylla Dinauano.

Reigning MVP Chrishein Santillan quickly restored parity, overcoming Micah Tanate, 11–8, 11–5, 14–12, to level the tie.

Cate Sarmiento and co-captain Krisha Reyes then gave FEU a 2–1 advantage after surviving a five-game battle against Janna Paculba and Kaye Alliah Encarnacion, 7–11, 11–5, 11–6, 8–11, 11–8.

With the team event gold secured, Gabisay and the rest of the Lady Tamaraws will look to carry their momentum into the singles and doubles competitions, which begin on Friday.

FEU enjoyed a relatively smooth path to the final, sweeping former rivals University of the Philippines, 3–0, in their first Final Four meeting since Season 80 in 2017.

UST, meanwhile, needed four matches to overcome fellow powerhouse De La Salle University and secure its place in the championship round.

Laude later helped DLSU secure the bronze medal after the Lady Green Paddlers swept UP, 3–0, in the battle for third place.

The national team standout maintained her unbeaten individual record with an 11–6, 11–3, 11–6 victory over Romero.