The defending champions of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), Ahmedabad SG Pipers, roared back to life with a resounding 10-5 victory over Goa Challengers on Saturday. This decisive win came after a challenging opening match where they suffered a similar 10-5 defeat against Puneri Paltan. The Pipers’ turnaround was largely attributed to a strong start, with Lilian Bardet and Bernadette Szocs dominating the first two matches, winning all six games.
Pipers head coach Francisco Santos emphasized the significance of this positive start. “After yesterday’s match (vs. Puneri Paltan), it was very important that we started today’s proceedings on a positive note. That helped us get an early advantage.” He added that while they didn’t have a specific plan for the match, their collective goal was to secure a win, and they achieved it.
Santos’ coaching journey in the UTT circuit has been marked by constant change. After winning the inaugural season with Falcons TTC, he’s coached a string of different teams: Maharashtra United, Puneri Paltan, and U Mumba. Although he hasn’t replicated his initial success, he embraces change as a key driver for growth. “Change is the only constant. If I get retained on the same team, it will be the same players and support staff. I like to find new people, identify new talents, and teach them everything about table tennis.” He understands the desire for stable coaching, but for him, the thrill lies in fresh challenges and opportunities.
Santos is a firm believer in the value of the UTT league for Indian table tennis. “UTT, I feel, is very important for the players in this country. It not only provides a platform for them to showcase their talent but also enables them to face players from around the world.” He highlighted the learning opportunities players gain from interacting with international coaches and adapting to the pressure of high-stakes matches.
The fast-paced nature of the UTT, where every point counts, encourages players to make quick decisions and perform under pressure. Santos’ team is set to face his former team, U-Mumba, next, and he aims to carry their momentum forward and remain in the top half of the standings.
