REIGNING champions National University Lady Bulldogs and University of Santo Tomas Male Tennisters reaffirmed their dominance with contrasting victories in rematches of last season’s finals in the UAAP Season 87 Tennis Tournament, Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.
The Lady Bulldogs edged out the UST Female Tennisters with a thrilling 3-2 victory, highlighted by Elsie Abarquez and Kolin Cornell’s 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 win over Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja in the decisive second doubles match.
“Kaya lumakas ‘yung isang doubles namin kasi ‘yung isang singles [player] namin nilagay namin sa doubles, ‘yung number one player namin. Kaya good thing na rin na ganun nangyari, mas napaganda pa pala na dinoubles namin siya,” said NU coach Ronard Joven, referring to Abarquez.
“Syempre sa una, hindi biro, hindi madali para sa amin kasi sa amin may nawalang player. Dalawa na ‘yung graduate sa amin so ‘yung laro ngayon, ‘yung laban namin against UST, hindi talaga namin sure na mananalo kami pero kahit papaano nagawan pa rin ng paraan,” he added.
UST took an early lead with Kaye Emana defeating NU’s Jasmine Jaran 6-2, 6-3 in the first singles match. However, JM Carcueva responded for the Lady Bulldogs, overpowering Princess Dela Rita 6-1, 6-2 in the second singles match.
NU’s Danna Abad then secured another crucial victory, outlasting UST’s Mica Emana in a gruelling 7(7)-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 third singles’ match.
UST kept the contest alive in the first doubles match, with Judy Padilla and Debbie Gom-os prevailing over NU’s Rovie Baulete and Adeline Abadia, 7(7)-6(5), 3-6, 10-6. However, Abarquez and Cornell’s win in the second doubles sealed the tie for NU.
NU leads the standings with a 3-0 record, while UST dropped to second place.
Meanwhile, the UST Male Tennisters flexed their dominance against Ateneo de Manila University, sweeping their opponents with a commanding 5-0 victory in this tournament also supported by Wilson.
Ericjay Tangub capped the performance with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 win in the second singles match.
Sebastian Santos set the tone early with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory over Blue Eagle Gab Quintana in the first singles match. UST’s Nilo Ledama continued the momentum with a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over Ateneo’s JD Velez in the third singles match.
The Male Tennisters further asserted control in the doubles matches. Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan overcame JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue, 6-4, 6-4, while Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines wrapped up the sweep with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Aidyll Ignacio and JB Cuarto.
UST remains unbeaten atop the standings with a 4-0 record, while Ateneo dropped to 2-2, tying with UP for fourth place.
Ties on Saturday
(Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center)
7:30 a.m. – UE vs. Ateneo (Men’s)
7:30 a.m. – NU vs. Ateneo (Women’s)
10:30 a.m. – UP vs. AdU (Men’s)
10:30 a.m. – UST vs. UP (Women’s)
2:00 p.m. – NU vs. UST (Men’s)
