By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — National University made a statement against last season’s finals opponent, University of Santo Tomas, prevailing 3-2 to claim solo third in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Tennis Tournament Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 3-1 in solo third, while the Male Tennisters dropped to 2-2 in fourth place.
Isaac Lim withstood Ericjay Tangub’s late surge in second singles, holding on in a tense tiebreak to secure a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory and seal the Bulldogs’ triumph.
NU leaned on its singles lineup to take control of the tie.
Alexis Acabo opened the charge in third singles, fending off a tight first set before pulling away from Evan Bacalso, 6-4, 6-1, giving the reigning champions an early edge.
Andrei Padao followed with a steady performance, outlasting Sebastian Santos in a competitive first set, 7-5, before closing out 6-3 in first singles to nudge NU closer to victory.
“Focus lang talaga ako sa game ko. Every game, every point matters talaga, so nilabanan ko siya kasi alam ko ‘yung kalaban ko, si [Sebastian] Santos, is a good player din po. And nakalaban ko na rin po siya last year kaya for sure, alam na rin niya ‘yung laro ko. So ang ginawa ko lang is mas tapangan ko siya, and point by point, construct ng point and happy na nakuha ko po,” said reigning Rookie-MVP Padao.
“Ginamit namin ‘yung pagkapanalo namin last season pang-boost ng confidence namin and motivation na siyempre nag-champion kami last season, dapat mas matapang kami kaysa ngayon. And ngayon, kailangan naming mag-step up kasi alam namin ‘yung ibang team ay nag-step up din sila kasi gusto rin nilang agawin ‘yung title namin, so mas tinapangan pa namin ngayon.”
UST’s Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines edged Christian Padilla and Angil Balaoing in a tight first doubles set before the latter pair retired at 7-6(4).
NU’s Al Zayeed Baid and Brent Cortes then closed the tie, pulling away for a 7-5, 6-1 second doubles win over Jules Lazaro and Miguel Vicencio.
Meanwhile, University of the East and University of the Philippines remained perfect at 4-0 in the tournament.
The Red Warriors cruised past the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 4-1, while the Fighting Maroons swept the DLSU Green Tennisters, 5-0.
The Soaring Falcons and the Green Tennisters fell to 1-4.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Allyson Cabanilla dominated first singles, overwhelming Neo Maratas 6-0, 6-0, to deliver the point that sealed the Red Warriors’ victory.
Earlier, Gerald Gemida gave UE the lead with a 6-0, ret. win over John Kenneth Jumamoy in second singles, followed by JB Aguilar’s commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory over Albretch Job in third singles.
Adamson fought back in first doubles, as Nikko Lumahang and Lander Butcon defeated Marc Suson and Kian Sanchez, 6-3, 6-3. UE’s Kent Morales and RJ Baje then sealed the tie with a composed 6-4, 6-4 win over Angelo Rosales and Miecoz Candelasa in second doubles.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Lance Fernandez battled through a tight third singles match, edging JT Bernardo, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, to cap the Fighting Maroons’ sweep over the Green Tennisters.
UP set the pace early, with Loucas Fernandez cruising past Yassan Al-Anazi, 6-0, 7-6(3), in first singles. Miguel Iglupas added another point in the second singles, defeating EJ Geluz, 6-4, 6-3.
The Fighting Maroons carried the momentum into doubles, as Heinz Carbonilla and Raymund Goco dominated Fernando Po and Marcus Guinoo, 6-3, 6-2, in first doubles.
Andrei Jarata and Carl Tan closed out the sweep in style, blanking Daniel Estanislao and Kevin Garrido, 6-3, 6-0, in second doubles.
