Benilde, Perpetual bets rule NCAA table tennis

MANILA, Philippines — College of St. Benilde banked on the magnificence of Henze Dominique Lucero as it swept its way to the NCAA Season 99 men’s table tennis championship.

It was a spectacular performance for Lucero as he left the field in awe at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym after he swept all his 10 matches – nine singles and one doubles.

When it was over, Lucero emerged as the rookie-MVP winner as the Blazers claimed their league-best ninth championship, one better than the Letran paddlers’ eight.

Lucero capped his brilliance by winning both his singles matches over Peterkarlsson Mercado, 11-7, 12-14, 11-1, 11-5, and Math Andrew Ramos, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7, in powering CSB to a 3-1 win over San Beda in the finale.

University of Perpetual Help, meanwhile, ruled the women’s and juniors events.

Powered by eventual MVP Crishen Mae Santillan, the Las Piñas-based school edged San Beda, 3-2, to snare the women’s crown while Gerald Aguilar won his two singles matches in a 3-1 win also over San Beda to snatch the juniors’ plum.

Jose Rizal U outlasted EAC, 3-2, to claim the juniors’ bronze while College of St. Benilde turned back EAC, 3-2, to wind up third in the women’s class of this event hosted by a committee headed by Melchor Divina of Mapua U.

It was the third title for the Altas in the senior section this season following triumphs in chess and men’s beach volleyball.