By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — Defending champion National University showed no signs of slowing down, cruising to its sixth straight tie win after overpowering Ateneo de Manila University, 4-1, to kick off its second-round campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Tennis Tournament on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
The victory lifted the Bulldogs to 6-1, keeping them a step ahead of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who trail by a tie due to a bye.
In other matches, the University of the East bounced back from yesterday’s loss with a 5-0 triumph over Adamson University, while the University of Santo Tomas notched its third straight tie win, 3-2, over De La Salle University.
Both the Red Warriors and the Male Tennisters of UST remain tied for third with identical 5-2 records in this Wilson-supported tournament.
Capping NU’s sixth straight tie win, Alexis Acabo and Angil Balaoing closed out the first doubles with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Gabby Calilung and Gab Quintana, securing the overall win.
Isaac Lim put the Bulldogs ahead with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Lukas Yupangco in third singles. Ateneo’s JD Velez countered with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Kristopher Espinosa in second singles, leveling the score.
Andrei Padao regained the lead in first singles with a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over JC Pabillore before NU’s doubles teams finished the tie.
“Heading into the second round, may mga adjustments lang siguro kami sa laro namin, kung paano namin i-handle ‘yung game under pressure or mentally, kasi ‘yung ibang teams, mas gagapang na sila kasi nga second round and lahat naghahabol sa Final Four kaya mas ia-adjust namin ‘yung mindset namin na mas kukunat kami sa second round,” said Padao.
“Mas tatapangan pa namin and mas motivated kami na hahabulin namin ‘yung top one [spot] talaga,” the reigning Rookie-MVP added.
NU tandem Jules Lazaro and Miguel Vicencio dominated second doubles, 6-1, 6-2, over JB Cuarto and Vito Singson, leaving Ateneo still searching for its first win in seven ties.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Kent Morales and Allyson Cabanilla delivered the clincher in first doubles, 6-2, 6-1, over Tristan Correos and Angelo Rosales, completing UE’s overall victory and moving the Red Warriors to a 5-2 record.
UE came out sharp, as JB Aguilar rolled past John Kenneth Jumamoy, 6-1, 6-0, in first singles, while Marc Suson extended the lead with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Miecoz Candelasa in second singles.
Adamson’s only victories came from Albretch Job, who defeated RJ Baje, 6-1, 6-1, in third singles, and the tandem of Nikko Lumahang and Lander Butcon, who outlasted Mark Dave Palanas and Kian Sanchez, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6, in second doubles to close the tie.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST sealed its overall win with a 6-1, 6-1 first doubles triumph by Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines over Fernando Po and Marcus Guinoo.
Sebastian Santos set the pace early with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Rupert Tortal in second singles, giving the Male Tennisters a crucial first lead. Ericjay Tangub followed with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over JT Bernardo in first singles, pushing the advantage to 2-0.
DLSU earned its two points from a dominant 6-2, 6-1 first doubles win by EJ Geluz and Daniel Estanislao over Al Zayeed Baid and Mcleen Gomera, and a hard-fought 7-5, 7-6(6) win by Yassan Al Anazi over Christopher Sonsona in third singles.
The Green Tennisters remain fifth with a 2-5 record, followed by the Soaring Falcons (1-6) and the Blue Eagles (0-7).
