Lady Paddlers near sweep of UAAP table tennis elims

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning  women's champion De La Salle moved two wins of advancing to the Finals outright, while men's titleholder University of Santo Tomas became the first semifinalist in the UAAP Season 90 table tennis tournament Wednesday at the UP CHK Gym.
      
The Lady Paddlers improved to 12-0 following 3-0 victories over University of the East and Adamson University.
      
The Growling Tigers, meanwhile, overcame University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University via identical 3-2 scores to extend their winning run to 11 games after a season-opening loss to National University.
      
The women's Final Four cast is complete, with UST, FEU and UP joining De La Salle in the playoffs.
      
The Tigresses, who defeated Ateneo and Adamson via similar 3-0 scorelines, are running second at 10-2, while the Lady Tamaraws, who also scored 3-0 wins over the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Warriors, have a 8-4 card in third place.
      
After bowing to the Lady Falcons, 2-3, the Lady Maroons bounced back with a 3-1 conquest of the Lady Bulldogs to secure the last semis berth at 7-5.
      
The Lady Paddlers need to prevail their last two elimination round ties tomorrow, including a match-up with the Tigresses in the afternoon, to make it to the best-of-three championship round.     
      
NU moved closer in advancing to the men's semifinals following victories over Ateneo (3-0) and UE (3-1) for a 9-3 slate.
      
UP, UE and Adamson University are locked in a three-way tie for third place at 7-5, while De La Salle is a game behind with a 6-6 card at No. 6.