Fresh off the country’s successful hosting of the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open, the UAAP Season 88 Tennis Tournaments serve up intense collegiate action — and, for the first time, high school competition — starting on Saturday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court.
University of Santo Tomas and National University aim to extend their respective reigns in the collegiate women’s and men’s divisions, respectively, when they begin their campaigns on Sunday, marking the tournament’s return to the venue post-pandemic.
Season 87 co-MVP Kaye Emana and doubles specialist Justine Maneja will draw from the experience they gained in last month’s WTA 125 tournament to steer the Female Tennisters toward a second straight title.
“Siyempre, nothing to lose po kami dito kasi bago nga po ‘yung mga nakalaban namin and sobrang lalakas. Feeling ko po madadala ko ‘yung palo ko na malalakas po ‘yung bolang pabalik sa ‘kin ‘pagdating ng UAAP. Feeling ko po makakatulong siya para ma-defend namin ‘yung title namin,” said Emana, the older of the two Emana siblings in the lineup.
Elizabeth Abarquez and Rovie Baulete — who also competed in the Philippine Women’s Open — along with the rest of the NU squad, will try to reclaim the throne they held for four straight seasons from Season 81 (2018–19) before surrendering it to UST last year.
“Yung pagsali ko po talaga dito, wala po akong training kasi galing pa po ako sa probinsya. Yung pagdating ko lang po dito sa Manila, ‘yung balik ko ng training, tapos nasali po ako rito. Para sa UAAP po, mag-training pa po ako, para sa team na rin po kasi gusto naming bumawi po talaga sa UAAP,” said the 23-year-old Baulete.
On the men’s side, the Bulldogs will rely on reigning Rookie-MVP Andrei Padao and Angil Baloing as they seek a fourth men’s title in six years.
The UST Male Tennisters, however, face a tougher road in reclaiming the crown following the graduation of two-time MVP Nilo Ledama. Season 86 hero Seb Santos and John Christopher Sonsona are expected to step up for the España-based squad.
In the women’s division, the Lady Bulldogs open their campaign against the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 11:00 AM.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the De La Salle University Lady Green Tennisters clash in the other tie of the day, also scheduled at 11:00 AM.
In the men’s draw, the UST Male Tennisters begin their redemption bid against the DLSU Green Tennisters at 7:30 AM.
Also at 7:30 AM, last season’s first-time semifinalists UP battle the Adamson Soaring Falcons, while the University of the East Red Warriors take on Ateneo in the remaining men’s tie.
Both the UST Female Tennisters and the NU Bulldogs kick off their title-retention campaigns against UP on Sunday. The men’s tie is set at 7:30 AM, while the women’s match follows at 11:00 AM.
For the first time this season, some of the country’s top young tennis standouts will see action in the High School Boys’ tournament, which will be staged as a demonstration event.
The boys’ division will also debut the league’s new competition format, featuring individual singles and doubles events.
The round of 16 begins on Sunday at 11:00 AM, with the draw set to be held on Saturday.
