By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan – Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle Zobel clinched the last two UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Tennis semifinal slots, Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
The Blue Eagles swept PAREF-Southridge School, 3-0, to improve to 3-2 and finish in solo third place.
Meanwhile, the Junior Green Tennisters advanced to the semifinals despite a 0-3 loss to National University Nazareth School, as University of the East eliminated University of Santo Tomas, 2-1.
De La Salle Zobel closed the eliminations with a 2-3 record in fourth place, just ahead of the Junior Male Tennisters in the tournament also supported by Wilson.
Miguel Lagac finished the job for Ateneo, routing Marco Montinola, 6-1, 6-0, in second singles to clinch the tie.
“It means a lot [since] this is the first time there’s lawn tennis juniors for UAAP,” said Ateneo head coach Gee Abacan. “We’ll try our best, but the team to beat is either NU or UE.”
The Blue Eagles had already gained the upper hand courtesy of Marcus Dimalaluan’s 6-0, 6-0 dismantling of Pio Feria in first singles.
Lagac then teamed up with Jaime Reyes to subdue Samuel Salazar and Quentin Marty, 6-1, 6-1, in doubles.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, the Bullpups secured solo second place with a 4-1 slate.
Ariel Cabaral delivered once again for NUNS, dispatching Jairo Flores, 6-1, 6-1, in second singles to clinch the tie.
Earlier, Jeremiah Labasano gave the Bullpups the opening point with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Jason Del Rosario in first singles.
The pair later joined forces to defeat John Mateo De Ocampo and Gabriel Torres, 6-2, 6-1, in doubles.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the other tie, the Junior Warriors capped a perfect 5-0 eliminations run after Aser Delos Santos and Jason Battad powered past Rastan Baje and Nicolo Olalia, 6-1, 6-1, in doubles.
Earlier, UE’s Al Tristan Licayan cruised past Olalia, 6-0, 6-0, in first singles.
UST stayed in contention behind Rastan Baje’s gritty 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Khean Nuñez in second singles.
The Junior Male Tennisters finished with just one win in five ties to place fifth, while the Admirals closed their campaign winless through five ties.
