The Business and Management (B&M) Vipers took the crown for singles, while Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) x School Of Education (SOE) x Humanities and Letters (HUMLET) Pegasus reigned victorious for doubles as both clusters competed during the Table Tennis Women’s championship titles in the singles and doubles categories.

Vipers’ Jerimae Edz Sevilla for the singles, and Pegasus’ Ira Li Antonio and Maria Shakira Lao for the doubles secured the championship titles from their cluster rival.

Sevilla took her powerful smashes against Pegasus in the singles finals, scoring 11-9, 11-3,11-7, closing up the best of five sets finals match with a 3-0 standing.

For the doubles, the Pegasus obtained two consecutive sets but were defeated in the third set, scoring 5-11 against B&M Vipers; however, Antonio showed an offensive attack to their cluster rival to finish the close-scored match, 11-8.

During the reigning champions’ interview with Atenews, personal milestones were achieved by Vipers and Pegasus.

“Nang na-overcome ko ang weakness ko [pagbalik ng bola mula sa racket ng kalaban], I believe ‘yon ang personal milestone ko for the match. Hindi ko lang gi-overthink kasi ang sa akin lang is mapanalo ko ang game,” Vipers’ Sevilla said.

“First time ko ‘yong first doubles ko na panalo. I am so proud. It is an honor for me. Apart from that, multiple times ako naka-attack, unlike sa singles ko na passive lang talaga ako,” Pegasus’ Antonio mentioned.

The Vipers and Pegasus athletes admitted to having encountered challenges, but they still hoped that their victory was a significant achievement that could uplift their cluster’s overall standing in the Palarong Atenista 2023.

In an interview with a Physical Education (PE) professor for the sports, the table tennis players from both men’s and women’s categories showcased advanced skills during this year’s Palarong Atenista.

“This year, a lot of students are already players. They are good. Mas maraming magagaling ngayon na hindi mo masasabing basic lang ‘yong skills nila but most of them are advanced,” PE professor Solamite Dizon told Atenews. 

According to Dizon, even though the players came from different clusters, they became friends as Palarong Atenista fostered closer ties within the Ateneo community, bringing to light the talents of the students in specific sports.

“It brings the students closer, especially when it comes to specific sports. They will know that those students are also good players in table tennis. Kumbaga, lumalaki ang circle nila when it comes to the sports they are interested in,” she said.

NSM’s Antonio and SOE’s Lao also expressed that merging their clusters as one Pegasus gives emphasis on the camaraderie among the players from the different clusters.

“Laban, this is for us! Kahit we come from different clusters and were merged as one Pegasus, both three clusters can uplift, so kaya yan! It’s nice kasi nag-merge because, with that, it infused camaraderie.”