The UAAP Season 87 Tennis Tournament begins Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate with contenders Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas kicking off their campaigns in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.
Despite the departure of last season’s Rookie of the Year Axl Gonzaga, who has moved to Bakersfield College in the United States, the Blue Eagles remain determined to extend their streak of Finals appearances.
Ateneo has finished as runners-up to the UST Male Tennisters for the past two seasons and aims to finally break through this year.
Leading the charge for the Blue Eagles will be JD Velez, another standout from Season 86, alongside doubles specialists JJ Llavore and Stef Gurria.
Their opening challenge comes against Adamson University at 7:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, the UST Female Tennisters are looking to reclaim the championship they last won in Season 80 (2017-18).
Top rookie Kaye-Ann Emana will spearhead their bid, starting with a clash against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, also at 7:30 a.m.
The tournament will continue to follow a five-match, team tie format similar to the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup, featuring blind nominations.
However, adjustments have been made to the scoring system to align with International Tennis Federation (ITF) rules and enhance match pacing.
“There are major and minor changes in Season 87 tennis. The major change is the revision of the doubles format to follow the current ITF system,” said long-time commissioner Andy Maglipon about this tournament supported by Wilson.
He explained, “Matches will now use no-ad scoring in a best-of-three sets format. Each set includes two tie-break sets, and if the score is tied at one set all, a match tie-break (first to 10 points) will be played.”
Maglipon added, “The other change is in the sequence of matches. All three singles matches will start before the doubles matches.”
In other men’s division matchups, University of the East will aim to continue its Final Four streak, beginning with a showdown against De La Salle University at 10:30 AM.
Meanwhile, National University and University of the Philippines will close out the opening-day action at 2:00 PM.
On the women’s side, UP and Ateneo will face off at 10:30 AM in what is expected to be a fiercely contested battle.
Defending champions UST Male Tennisters (men’s division) and NU Lady Bulldogs (women’s division) both received opening-day byes.
They will begin their title defenses on Sunday, with UST taking on the UE Red Warriors at 7:30 AM and NU facing Season 85 Finals rival UP, also at 7:30 AM.
