FEU scores 4-peat in table tennis

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University achieved a four-peat in the UAAP women’s table tennis tourney after sweeping the 10-game elims of Season 73 yesterday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

The Lady Tams dispatched University of the Philippines and University of Sto. Tomas via similar 3-1 conquests, then survived a tough stance from last opponent La Salle in scoring a 3-0 title-clincher.

Three-time MVP Beverly Villar posted a hard-earned 7-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9 triumph over Kimberly Medina to give FEU the headstart against DLSU.

Maricar Jarme then made it 2-0 with a 11-7, 11-9, 11-4 dismantling of Gwendolyn Garcia before Krech Lamayan and El-jane Berces sealed the Lady Tams’ fourth straight and 11th overall championship with a pulsating 11-4, 11-3, 6-11, 8-11, 11-5 verdict over Kaye Eunice Lustetica and Jellie Anne Yanela.

Pulling off a similar unbeaten title run in the men’s side were the UST Tigers, who regained the throne after yielding it to FEU last year.

The Tigers gore the Tams, 3-0, then eked out a similar shutout of University of the East for the 12-game sweep and outright championship, their 23rd overall.

Zoren Mendiola outlasted 2009 MVP Monarch Broqueza, 7-11, 12-10, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9; Martin Angelo Diaz edged Jhinno Selma, 11-8, 14-12, 11-7; and MVP Christian Vicente and top rookie Adolfo Bazar, Jr. finished off Remy Dacut and Jayvee Cruz, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6.

Michael Pana set the tone for UST’s whitewash of UE, beating Franz Mendoza, 11-6, 12-10, 7-11, 11-3 after which Mendiola turned back Raymund Malay, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7, and the Vicente-Bazar pair tripped Romiel Igno and Manuel Montes, Jr., 15-13, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3.