MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas (UST) nabbed the men’s table tennis crown by sweeping Far Eastern University (FEU) in the best-of-3 finals on Sunday in Season 74 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

The Growling Tigers won Game 1, 3-0, and clinched Game Two, 3-1, in the finals held at the National University (NU) Gym in Manila.

It was their 24th men’s table tennis crown in the league.

“Prediction ko talaga magcha-champion kami,” said UST head coach Henberd Ortalla, who has steered the Tigers to 8 championships since he handled the squad in 1997. “Alam ko kasi sa skills lamang na lamang kami.”

Aside from men's table tennis, UST also topped men’s and women’s judo, women’s beach volleyball and men’s taekwondo.

Rookie Gil Ablanque won the title for UST by toppling FEU’s top player Jhinno Selma in the 3rd singles match, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10.

UST began its assault behind Martin Diaz, who beat Romiel Igno, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, in the first singles of Game 2.

Season MVP Aaron Morales and Christian Abendan made it 2-0 for the Tigers by beating Remy Dacut and Mak Yap, 15-13, 11-7, 12-10, in the doubles.

The Tamaraws prevented a shutout as Monarch Broqueza beat Adolfo Bazar in the second singles match, 5-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6.

Named Rookie of the Year was Walden Shayno of De La Salle, which finished third this season.