The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs outsmarted another team at the end of the elimination round of the UAAP Lawn Tennis Season 78 and made their way up to the finals again. The Ateneo De Manila (ADMU) Lady Eagles were no match for the Sampaloc-based squad and fell down to a score of 4-1, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
It was another sunny day for NU, as UAAP Season 77 MVP Clarice Patrimonio took down Samantha Martin of Ateneo, 6-0, 6-0. It was a stunning game for Patrimonio as she controlled the ball throughout her game, and did not let Martin take any points.
Just like her sibling, Christine Patrimonio also did her best that day and won against Lady Eagle Khrizelle Sampaton, 6-2, 6-0. Although Patrimonio had some errors and struggled in her first set, it was not enough for Sampaton to strike through and take a set. Patrimonio bounced back and slowly took the victory for the second singles match.
The duo of Goldie Nagaret and Junnalyn Polito showed Ateneo once again that they are unbeatable partners as they threw out Alexis Mclean and Jana Exconde, 6-2, 6-1. The game was tight at first, but gradually Nagaret and Polito grabbed the power inside the court with quick attacks and got the two sets.
However, it was as if bad luck came to the hands of the Dumlao-Saladaga tandem when Ateneo’s Jana Hernandez and Jana Pages brought a 2-6, 4-6, revenge plot to NU. Dumlao and Saldaga created a balance attacks and defense, but it was just an off day for them as they made several errors, putting Hernandez and Pages on the winning side. Another advantage for ADMU was their forceful counter attacks, which helped them take hold of the win.
Nevertheless, Lady Bulldog Jzash Canja put vengeance to her name and beat Rocio Climent in the last singles match, 6-2, 6-1. After taking control of the ball in the first set, Canja did not try to let Climent break in her winning streak and ended their last game with an impressive game play.
After the eliminations, NU progress to the finals and will try to defend their championship title against last year’s bridesmaid finishers, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses on February 27.
