The Perpetual Lady Altas and Junior Altas spinners made history as they dethroned the defending champion San Beda University paddlers on Thursday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Sports Center in Ermita, Manila.
The Las Pinas City-based women’s team, composed of Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Chrisien Mae Santillan, Keziahbien Ablaza, Patrica Luca, Trisha May Plurad, Zada Marie Bocala and Charmaine Glorioso, outsmarted the seven-time champion San Beda U team via a 3-2 score in the finals to claim its first crown in the women’s division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 Table Tennis Tournament.
On the other hand, the Junior Atlas table netters, bannered by Freshman of the Year and MVP Gerald Aguilar, outclassed the defending champion Red Cubs, 3-1.
The win finally redeemed the team after the post-James Diocareza era lost in the finals to San Beda in Season 95, before the league was temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was the third title for the Altas in the senior section this season following triumphs in chess and men’s beach volleyball while it was the first junior crown of the year by UPHSD.
In all, it was the second women’s and juniors crown for the school
College of St. Benilde also beat San Beda in the men’s division finals via a 3-1 score, while the Perpetual men’s team clinched 3rd place for the bronze medal.
The Junior Altas is composed of Gabriel Amata, Russel Luna, Aguilar, James Michael Crom, Jheyron Valenzuela and Ian Tablang.