Manlapaz stamps class vs Gumabay

MANILA, Philippines — UST table-netter Josh Manlapaz lived up to his billing as the top seed, thwarting San Beda’s Ace Gumabay, 11-6, 11-13, 11-2, 11-7, in the 2026 Philippine Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Challenge yesterday at the Home Court at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Manlapaz, one of the pillars of the reigning six-time UAAP champions, earlier dominated his group with a straight-sets conquest of YING’s Raul Mallen and a walkover win over De La Salle U-Dasmariñas’ Carlos Batino VII.

The incoming Thomasian junior will next face DLSU’s Yves Reg, who defeated PWU’s Brent Melgarejo, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2.

Elsewhere in the draw, up-and-coming stars also made their mark, with UST’s Jebb Datahan and UP’s Stephen Llemit securing spots in the last 16.