Report by Joaquin Umali | Photos by Nish Raven Manglanlan, Angel Chogyomon and Leean Margarette Magat
Paddlers Anthony Jake Antonio and Francis Angelo Lacsina from the House of Slytherin bags gold after smashing the twice-to-beat House of Ravenclaw’s Mac Arries Ramos and Dino Ugay’s defenses, finishing the Table Tennis Men’s Double championship match with eight sets, 11 – 5, 6 – 11, 11 – 6, 14 – 12, 13 – 11, 12 – 10, 4 – 11, 11 – 6, at TSU Gymnasium, November 23.
Additionally, the House of Gryffindor’s Dlanor Cariño and Carlo Labrador settled for bronze after landing in third rank of the round robin gameplay.
Swiftly finishing the first set of the championship round, Slytherin’s attack did not give Ravenclaw a time to recover, claiming the set as their own, 11 – 5.
Despite losing, Ravenclaw’s determination refueled, bouncing back for the second set against Slytherin, 6 – 11.
The Ambitious Snakes strikes back, snatching the third set, and setting adrenaline for the fourth set due to a deuce, which the Snakes secures, 11 – 6, 14 – 12.
Buried by a 3 – 1 set loss, the House of Ravenclaw is still on the game, ranking first on the round robin gave them a twice-to-beat advantage in the championship game.
The second round was no different, as Ravenclaw’s attacks were retaliated by Slytherin’s presence, ending the first and second set in the Snakes’ favor, 13 – 11, 12 – 10.
After a crucial error by Slytherin, Ravenclaw finished the third set with a wide gap, 4 – 11.
A stinging setback was faced by Ravenclaw for the fourth set as Slytherin decided to close the championship game, with Slytherin claiming another round, 11 – 6.
Slytherin’s Antonio, in an interview, shared his team’s strategy and expectations in conquering the final match against Ravenclaw, and asserts coming back stronger for next year’s sportsfest.
“Noong una pa lang na game, nung natalo kami, so inaral ko talaga iyong mali naming at ano ang dapat naming ayusin. Ine-expect namin na okay na 2nd place na kami, pero sinabi ko sa team ko na kung may chance, kunin natin ‘yung chance.”
“For next year’s sportsfest, feel ko mas magiging more consistent sa paglalaro at mas gagaling,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ravenclaw stumbled with lack of preparation for this year’s PalaCASSan 2024.
“Sa lack of preparation, kasi one lang kami nakapag-practice then game na agad. Actually, hindi naming alam na twice-to-beat kami pero we are confident naman sa aming skills,” said Dino Ugay of Ravenclaw.
Moreover, the House of Hufflepuff failed to gather athletes for the said event, having no player to compete.
Here are the overall scores for round robin of Table Tennis Doubles – Men’s Division:
ROUND 1
Slytherin vs. Ravenclaw
8 – 11, 9 – 11
Hufflepuff vs. Gryffindor
Win by Default
ROUND 2
Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff
Win by Default
Slytherin vs. Gryffindor
11 – 8, 11 – 5
ROUND 3
Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin
Win by Default
Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor
11 – 9, 11 – 5
Roegen Cueva, CASS Student Council Board Member on Ways and Means and Table Tennis facilitator expressed their gratitude and lapses faced for this year’s PalaCASSan 2024.
“Last year, naging smooth sailing siya kasi na-prepare namin right ahead, like nakapaghanap na kami ng venue, unlike now na medyo nahirapan kami kasi may nagpa-practice for CAASUC and kailangan naming mag-meet halfway pa para sa venue. Luckily, pumayag naman ‘yung overall head ng CAASUC na mag-play kami dito sa stage.” Cueva stated.
“I would like to thank CASS-SC sa ganitong event na binibigay nila sa CASS Students na nagkakaroon ng sama-sama at sportsmanship for one another. Aside from that, gusto naming matapos itong sportsfest nang maayos at nag-eenjoy ang lahat,” Cueva added.
Winning athletes are set to represent the College of Arts and Social Sciences in the upcoming Intramurals 2025 with the discretion of the council and the athletes themselve.
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