Between calculated attacks, and borderline saves, both the men and women’s singles of B&M Vipers prevailed after four intense sets against the Accountancy Griffins.
With her perfectly timed smashes and victorious yells, Princes Bumatay, a freshman from the B&M Cluster bagged the championship; 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4, against Accountancy Griffins’ Marish Dimen.
“Ang gihimo namo na preparation kay bisan, unsa ang result kay dawaton kay gihimo namo among best tapos dili jud magpaluya during game kay sayang among gipraktisan kung magpaluya-luya lang mi, kung magpadala mi sa crowd,” she said, emphasizing the roaring cheers of the Accountancy cluster.
She also added that her battle cries after every point helped in boosting her confidence for her to be “strong” and remain steadfast amidst the fear her opponent is trying to impose.
“Paunahay man na’g hadlok… Ganina, nakabawi siya’g one set sa akoa kay nakulbaan man ko. Siyempre hawd gud siya kay gahot,” she said.
Taking home the gold for the Men’s Singles was Vipers’ pride is Steven Sampaga who outlasted Griffins table tennis veteran Junius Junsay; 11-8, 11-9, 4-11, and 11-9.
Playing for the first time since he was in high school, Sampaga showed his skills in controlling the strength of his attacks.
“At first, kay dili kayo ko nag-expect kay kulba man gud… Salig lang gyud ko sa akong sarili tapos pray,” he said.
On the other hand, Social Science Dragons’ Hanni Delos Reyes and Jhon Panday placed second runner up for the Women’s and Men’s Singles respectively.
Table tennis doubles
Mixed, men’s and women’s doubles were won by the School of Engineering and Architecture Tigers, Social Science Dragons, and Accountancy Griffins respectively.
The mixed doubles game between the Tigers and the Griffins had everyone at the edge of their seats for five alternately won close sets as both teams displayed determination to win, even extending the fifth set into a slide play.
Although the frustrations of an extended tournament were already noticeable, the calm and patience of the Tigers’ duo Edel Tuquib and Anne Gunabe closed out the thriller over Griffins’ Frederick Mojado and Hannah Dadivas’ determination; 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 14-12.
On the other hand, Griffins’ Chiara Laguidong and Julia Baes were hailed champions in the women’s doubles against Dragons’ Kathryn Consebit and Maria Jessica Fernandez; 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, and 11-6.
Meanwhile, the skilled footwork and strategic plays of Social Science Dragons’ Calvin Ngo and Mel Unabia drove a straight win of three sets against Griffins’ Kurt Pahm and Sollesta; 11-6, 11-5, 11-8.
B&M Vipers, Accountancy Griffins, and School of Engineering and Architecture Tigers, along with the emerging Social Science Dragons, dominated this year’s Palarong Atenista’s table tennis match held at the 6/F Matin Hall last August 12.