The University of Mindanao Tagum College (UMTC) seized a dual title haul at the Ateneo Blue Knights League Season 2 Table Tennis, powering past Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (MMCM) – Team A in the men’s division and Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) in the women’s division for the championship.

UMTC’s Earl Laurence Antipolo led the charge in the finals, outplaying MMCM’s Mervin Hangad in a gripping five-game clash, 3-2, to secure the gold for his team, composed of Jaxe Palma, Acail Abelda, Junric Junio, and Dio Cimagala.

The championship match opened with MMCM’s Hangad snatching early momentum, narrowly taking set 1 at 12-10, while UMTC’s Antipolo turned defense into a thrilling counterattack in set 2, edging out in a deuce to even the series, 13-11.

In set 3, MMCM’S Hangad overpowered the rally with a barrage of topspin drives, regaining the upper hand with an 11-8 victory. 

Refusing to back down, UMTC’s Antipolo forced a deciding set after clinching set 4, 11-9. 

With both teams going toe-to-toe in blistering rallies in set 5 for a chance to win the title, UMTC’s Antipolo dictated the pace with relentless backhand attacks, sealing the championship with a 12-10 finish. 

Antipolo shared that his biggest challenge is the mental game, which he is working to improve by practicing under high-pressure conditions.

“Mainly, my biggest challenge is the mental game. I find it hard, pero gina-strengthen nako siya in a way na makaahon ko sa akong dula. I turned them by playing games that are stressful and have more pressure.”

In the women’s division, UMTC’s Krystelle Larcy Amol spearheaded the finals performance against AdDU’s Pauline Barbadia in a dominant three-set sweep, 3-0, to secure the gold for her team, composed of Antonia Kelaton, Kayceelyn Bermudez, and Shainar Canubas.

UMTC immediately set the tone in the opening set as Amol launched a series of topspin loops for an 11-7 victory.

Carrying such momentum into the second set, UMTC’s Amol weathered the storm of heavy attacks, closing the set, 11-6.

In the third set, AdDU’s Barbadia attempted to regain footing through intense rallies but was crushed by UMTC’s Amol’s decisive kill shots, bagging the championship with an 11-6 finish.

Amol remarked on the injury she experienced in the early part of the tournament, crediting her teammates for stepping up when she couldn’t. 

“Challenge jud nako kay nabikogan ko for my first game. After ato, siyempre gitubos nalang ko sa akong teammates kay dili na kaya,” Amol said.

In preparation for the Ateneo Blue Knights League Season 2, the UMTC Table Tennis Varsity Team committed to a 3-hour training session after class, and competed with other players to address their weaknesses. 

“For us sa UMTC, every day mi ga-training 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. After class, mao jud na amoang training, and gaexpose mi sa amoang sarili sa other na players para makabalo mi asa amoang weaknesses na dapat namo indeed iadjust pa.”

Holy Cross of Davao College took home the bronze in the men’s division, while the Ateneo de Davao University – Senior High School secured bronze in the women’s division. 

The Ateneo Blue Knights League Season 2 table tennis tournament was held on April 9 at 6F Martin Hall, Ateneo de Davao University.