By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
NATIONAL University moved within striking distance of reclaiming the UAAP Men’s Tennis title after grinding out a thrilling 3-2 victory over defending champion University of Santo Tomas in Game 1 of the Finals, Wednesday evening at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.
Now just one win away from their first championship since Season 81—and sixth overall—the Bulldogs aim to finish the job in Game 2, which is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday at the same venue.
“Lagi naming pinapaunawa sa mga bata na hindi ‘to sa kakayahan naming coaches or sa players pero sa tulong na rin ni Lord sa amin. Kaya lagi naming guidance ‘yung ‘We can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ at lagi naming inaalay sa Kanya ang lahat ng pagpupuri’t pasasasalamat,” said NU head coach Bobby Esquivel.
“At the start of the game pa lang, sinabi namin sa kanila na paniwalaan niyo ‘yung sarili niyo. At dapat ‘yung mindset natin is positive attitude lagi na kahit anong mangyari—especially ‘yung down na down na kami—kailangan doon kami mas lalong mag-step up, mas maging positive.”
Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla delivered the clincher for NU, dominating Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan, 6-1, 6-1, in the second doubles match.
Their win sealed the Game 1 triumph and gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Finals of the tournament backed by Wilson Philippines.
“Kailangan talaga na mag-strive kami na kunin ‘yung Game 1 para sa Game 2, nasa amin ‘yung momentum [at] hindi kami ma-pressure sa next game,” said Balaoing. “May pressure, pero parang ginapang lang po talaga namin. Like ‘yung will to win namin, ‘yun ang nagpa-overcome ng takot or ng kalaban namin kanina.
“Mas hihigpitan pa namin [sa next game], like ‘yung training namin…tapos sa game siguro, mas lalo pa namin mas gagalingan pa.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Nilo Ledama earlier gave the Male Tennisters the early edge by outlasting Aljon Talatayod. After taking the opening set, Ledama held his nerve in a tense tiebreaker to secure a 6-2, 7(8)-6(6) win.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Rookie standout Andrei Padao remained undefeated in singles play, dispatching UST’s Sebastian Santos, 6-3, 6-2, to level the tie for NU.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST struck back behind the duo of Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines, who took the first doubles match with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Gab Bandoquillo and Jules Lazaro to momentarily reclaim the advantage, 2-1.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
But the Bulldogs quickly leveled the tie once more as EJ Tugade dominated Ericjay Tangub in the third singles match, 6-3, 6-2, to make it 2-all and set the stage for Balaoing and Padilla’s decisive performance.
The awarding ceremony for the individual honors and third-place teams will be held after Game 2 of the women’s finals, which starts earlier at 7 a.m.
