By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — National University booked its ninth UAAP Collegiate Women’s Tennis Finals appearance in 10 seasons after edging defending champion University of Santo Tomas, 3-2, on Saturday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
Riding an unbeaten second-round run, the Lady Bulldogs closed the eliminations with a 6-2 record to secure the top seed.
Meanwhile, the UST Female Tennisters fell to 5-2, tied with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles 4-1 in the other tie for the day in this tournament also supported by Wilson Philippines.
These results set up a high-stakes clash at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday between UP and UST, with the remaining finals berth on the line.
Rovie Baulete and Kolin Cornell delivered the decisive point for NU, overcoming Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja, 7-6(3), 6-4, in a hard-fought second doubles match to propel the Lady Bulldogs to their fourth straight finals appearance.
“Sobrang saya po kasi ‘yung sa first round namin, nasa rank four yata kami. Dalawa talo namin noon eh, so ginawa namin ay ginapang namin talaga sa training,” said NU’s Baulete.
“Sobrang saya kasi sa second round po, wala kaming talo. Nagkaisa po kami ng team and [thankful] din po sa mga coaches din namin kasi nandiyan sila gumagabay sa amin, ‘di nila kami pinabayaan.”
NU struck first as JM Carcueva dominated Kaye Mustaza, 6-0, 6-2, in the opening singles match. Elsie Abarquez soon doubled the Lady Bulldogs’ lead with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over Mica Emana in third singles.
UST fought back behind last season’s co-Finals MVP Kaye Emana, who extended her unbeaten singles run with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 win over Adeline Abadia in second singles.
Refusing to go down without a fight, Judy Padilla and Nichole Dela Rita kept the Female Tennisters alive, defeating Juliana Carvajal and AJ Acabo, 6-3, 6-2, in second doubles to send the tie to a winner-take-all decider.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the UP-Ateneo match, Joshea Malazarte and Sidney Enriquez wasted no time in securing the victory, delivering a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win over Eloh Castolo and Zaina Omar in second doubles.
UP seized the early momentum as Jufe Cocoy overpowered Althea Martirez, 6-1, 6-1, in second singles. Maria Divinagracia kept the run going with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Cacai Padilla in third singles, doubling the Fighting Maroons’ lead.
Ateneo responded through Althea Ong, who defeated Marielle Jarata, 6-2, 6-3, in first singles.
UP later tightened its grip on the tie as Anica Cari and Paula Uy cruised past Chelsea Roque and Angela Buyante, 6-1, 6-0, in first doubles.
Ateneo remains winless after seven ties and will take on fellow also-ran archrival De La Salle University in its season finale.
