By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
REIGNING champions National University Lady Bulldogs and University of Santo Tomas Male Tennisters reaffirmed their dominance with contrasting victories in rematches of last season’s finals in the UAAP Season 87 Tennis Tournament, Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.
The Lady Bulldogs edged out the UST Female Tennisters with a thrilling 3-2 victory, highlighted by Elsie Abarquez and Kolin Cornell’s 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 win over Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja in the decisive second doubles match.
“Kaya lumakas ‘yung isang doubles namin kasi ‘yung isang singles [player] namin nilagay namin sa doubles, ‘yung number one player namin. Kaya good thing na rin na ganun nangyari, mas napaganda pa pala na dinoubles namin siya,” said NU coach Ronard Joven, referring to Abarquez.
“Syempre sa una, hindi biro, hindi madali para sa amin kasi sa amin may nawalang player. Dalawa na ‘yung graduate sa amin so ‘yung laro ngayon, ‘yung laban namin against UST, hindi talaga namin sure na mananalo kami pero kahit papaano nagawan pa rin ng paraan,” he added.
UST took an early lead with Kaye Emana defeating NU’s Jasmine Jaran 6-2, 6-3 in the first singles match. However, JM Carcueva responded for the Lady Bulldogs, overpowering Princess Dela Rita 6-1, 6-2 in the second singles match.
NU’s Danna Abad then secured another crucial victory, outlasting UST’s Mica Emana in a grueling 7(7)-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 third singles match.
UST kept the contest alive in the first doubles match, with Judy Padilla and Debbie Gom-os prevailing over NU’s Rovie Baulete and Adeline Abadia, 7(7)-6(5), 3-6, 10-6. However, Abarquez and Cornell’s win in the second doubles sealed the tie for NU.
NU leads the standings with a 3-0 record, while UST dropped to second place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the UST Male Tennisters flexed their dominance against Ateneo de Manila University, sweeping their opponents with a commanding 5-0 victory in this tournament also supported by Wilson.
Ericjay Tangub capped the performance with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 win in the second singles match against Steff Gurria.
Sebastian Santos set the tone early with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory over Blue Eagle Gab Quintana in the first singles match. UST’s Nilo Ledama continued the momentum with a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over Ateneo’s JD Velez in the third singles match.
The Male Tennisters further asserted control in the doubles matches. Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan overcame JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue, 6-4, 6-4, while Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines wrapped up the sweep with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Aidyll Ignacio and JB Cuarto.
UST remains unbeaten atop the standings with a 4-0 record, while Ateneo dropped to 2-2, tying with UP for fourth place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the women’s division, University of the Philippines bounced back from a previous setback against NU with a strong 4-1 win over De La Salle University. Jufe Cocoy secured the tie for UP with a hard-fought 6-3, 6(3)-7(7), 6-4 victory over Maikee Vicencio in the second singles match.
Joshea Malazarte gave UP a flying start, demolishing La Salle’s Bea Gomez 6-1, 6-0 in the opening singles match. The momentum continued as Sydney Enriquez and Anica Cari dominated Althea Liwag and Precious Miranda in the first doubles match, 6-0, 6-2.
La Salle momentarily halted UP’s momentum when Jam Madis outlasted Glydel Guevarra in a grueling first-set tiebreak before securing a 7(7)-6(5), 6-2 victory in the third singles match.
However, UP’s Jonamil Prado and Jesha Cervantes sealed the win with a 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Arianne Nillasca and Amor Idjao in the second doubles match.
UP improved to a 2-1 record, tying UST for second place, while La Salle remained in fourth with a 1-3 record.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the men’s division, NU extended its winning streak to three after defeating La Salle 4-1. Gab Bandoquillo and Aljon Talatayod secured the victory with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Marcus Guinoo and Darwin Cosca in the first doubles match.
NU’s EJ Tugade set the tone, routing La Salle’s Yassan Al-Anazi 6-0, 6-2 in the second singles match. Jude Padao followed up with a 6-3, 6-1 win over EJ Geluz in the first singles match, putting NU in control before La Salle could respond.
John Thomas Bernardo gave the Green Tennisters a glimmer of hope, battling past Kristofer Espinoza for a 7-5, 6-3 win in the third singles match. However, NU dashed any hopes of a comeback as Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla edged out Leyton Portin and Keno Enriquez in a 6-3, 2-6, 10-7 thriller in the second doubles match.
With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 3-1, while La Salle remained winless at 0-5, staying in seventh place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of the East secured back-to-back wins, sweeping Adamson University 5-0. Jarrell Edangga and Mark Dave Palanas delivered the clincher in the second doubles match, defeating Tristan Correos and Nikko Lumahang 6-4, 6-3.
UE’s JB Aguilar dominated the second singles match, overwhelming Adamson’s Miecoz Candelasa 6-0, 6-3. Gerald Gemida extended the lead with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Soaring Falcon Ramon Bentillo.
Romeo Largo found himself in a tough battle but eventually outlasted Joseph Butcon 6-2, 6(2)-7(7), 6-4 in the first singles match. With the sweep in sight, Kent Morales and RJ Baje sealed UE’s flawless performance, cruising past Emmanuel Pedrosa and Angelo Rosales 6-1, 6-2 in the second doubles match.
The Red Warriors climbed to a 3-1 record, sharing second place with NU, while the Soaring Falcons slipped to 1-4, remaining in sixth place.
