History continues for the Accountancy (ACC) Griffins as they officially clinched a 5-peat championship in the men’s singles category in table tennis, pouncing out against the Business and Management (B&M) Vipers, while the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Tigers routed the Social Sciences (SS) Dragons for the doubles category.

In the championship round of the men’s singles category, ACC Griffins’ Ram Gerald Laureta started as an underdog against the tournament’s heavy frontrunner, B&M Viper’s Andrue Sebastian Dalaygon, in an intense, neck-and-neck five-set match.

B&M Vipers’ Dalaygon started strong with sharp chop serves and topspin drives, racing to a 5-0 lead before closing out the first set 11-5, yet Laureta bounced back in the second set, playing in a defensive style and scoring 11-8.

The Viper reclaimed momentum in the third set by countering the Griffin’s serves with his defensive play, scoring 11-6. The fourth set saw a fierce battle, with Laureta digging deep at 7-7 before taking it 11-8, tying the match at 2-2.

The final set brought the audience to the edge of their seats as both players traded grueling long rallies locked at 8-8 and 9-9. 

ACC Griffins’ Laureta’s performance destroyed the frontrunner and ultimately won the championship match in the singles category by scoring 11-8, successfully defending the Accountancy cluster’s streak.

Laureta reflected that this hard-fought victory felt overwhelming because he successfully defended their cluster’s champion title without expecting to win.

“Winning the title feels overwhelming po, kasi I’m happy na na-defend namin ‘yung streak ng gold championship. And then at the same time, I’m really happy na kasi akala ko matatalo na ako,” Laureta said.

SEA Tigers smash SS Dragons in men’s doubles

Meanwhile, in the doubles category, the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Tigers’ Jiro Gabriel Tabios and Kyle Niño Uy roared against the Social Sciences (SS) Dragons’ Gylle Hibionada and Luigi Operario.

SEA Tigers’ Tabios and Uy opened the match with strong forehand chop serves and accelerated ahead to take the 11-8 score.

However, SS Dragon’s Hibionada and Operario bounced back and took advantage of opponent errors to assert dominance in the second set, but the Tigers’ duo recovered with strong counterattacks, winning the second set 11-9.

In the last set, both teams locked into a tense head-to-head battle. Tabios and Uy scored 5-2, which established immense pressure on the Social Sciences cluster.

The SS Dragons succumbed to Tabios and Uy as they asserted dominance in the competition with an 11-7 score. 

When asked how it felt to be carrying their cluster’s name, Tabios shared that winning the competition came unexpectedly.

“To be honest, unexpected siya. Maraming nagsasabi na malakas daw ‘yung ACC and BM, kaya parang malaki ‘yung pressure. Pero once na in-game na, parang nawala na ‘yung pressure. So, parang unexpected kaayo siya,” Tabios shared.

Uy added that managing time and learning to synchronize playing styles in doubles posed a unique challenge.

“Ang isa sa mga challenges nga ma remember nako was learning and relearning [the routine] sa doubles na table tennis. It’s really necessary for you to know your ka-doubles para mag-blend ‘yung playing styles nyo. So, for me, I feel like it was a challenge to get to know his playing style. Pero isa pud to time management,” Uy added.

When asked one important lesson they learned during their competition while carrying their cluster’s legacy, Uy emphasized the importance of balance and enjoying the game.

“Important lessons sa ako is mag-ask beforehand when ang date sa midterms ug sa duwa para ma-balance ang time. Pero, enjoy; the best way to excel is to enjoy what you’re doing,” Uy added.

The ACC Griffins bagged the gold medal in the men’s singles category, with the B&M Vipers and the SS Dragons taking silver and bronze, respectively.

In the doubles category, the SEA Tigers clinched the gold, followed by the SS Dragons with silver and the B&M Vipers with bronze.

The men’s table tennis championship matches were held at 6F Martin Hall at Ateneo de Davao University on September 20.