Perpetual Help paddlers score 2 wins, share NCAA lead

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help walloped Mapua and San Sebastian via a pair of 3-1 match scores over the weekend to join a four-way logjam on top at the start of the 87th NCAA table tennis tournament at the Mapua Gym in Intramuros, Manila.

Team captain Argel Carandang, Robert Rosales, Dennis Picondo, Vittorio Leocandio, Kenneth Igon and Adrian Remo combined in hammering out the two emphatic triumphs as the Altas set in motion their quest for the title they last won 11 years ago to cap a three-peat feat.

“Our goal is to win the championship and this early, we’re doing good,” said Perpetual coach Joselito Almazan, who has been coaching the Las Piñas-based school for 12 seasons in a stint highlighted by three straight titles from 1998-2000.

The Altas must win at least four more matches including their game against the St. Benilde Blazers and the Jose Rizal Bombers today at the same venue.

To date, Perpetual is bunched with defending champion San Beda, St. Benilde and Letran atop the heap with identical 2-0 (win-loss) slates.

The top four teams of the single-round elimination advance to the next round where the top two enter the finals. A team wins the title outright by sweeping the first and second rounds.

“So far, so good,” said league president Anthony Tamayo of Perpetual, who ushered in the meet and even watched some games of his paddlers.