By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
National University secured a return trip to the UAAP Women’s Tennis Finals for the eighth time in nine seasons after sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 5-0, Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.
Jasmine Jaran delivered a statement win in the third singles match, fending off Althea Martirez to seal the Lady Bulldogs’ spot in the finals for the third consecutive year in this tournament also supported by Wilson Philippines.
“May pressure po, but depende na ‘yun sa amin how to handle that pressure para maka-perform well this coming finals game namin… Mas dodoble kami ng kayod sa training at saka magfo-focus kami doon sa mga kulang namin na skills,” said NU co-captain JM Carcueva, looking ahead to another finals rematch with the Female Tennisters.
“Para hindi mawala ‘yung kumpiyansa ng teammates ko, andoon kami with my captain to support them, to cheer them on every match. And as a co-captain, we need to step up din in every game that we play para may kumpiyansa din ‘yung mga teammates namin na naglalaro.”
Carcueva set the tone for NU’s dominance with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Ateneo’s Adriana Cabahug in the second singles match. Danna Abad quickly doubled the lead, replicating the scoreline with a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Chelsea Roque in the first singles.
In doubles action, Luivy Carvajal and Juliana Carvajal overpowered Reizel Coco and Audrey Ruiz, 6-1, 6-0, to push NU’s advantage to 4-0. Adeline Abadia and Rovie Baulete then completed the sweep with a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory over Zaina Omar and Angela Buyante in the second doubles match.
With the win, the Lady Bulldogs improved to 6-1, securing the second seed in the standings behind the Female Tennisters.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, in the men’s division, University of Santo Tomas avenged its first-round loss to NU with a grueling 4-1 victory, ensuring at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage.
Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines sealed the win for UST, grinding past Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla in the first doubles match, 6-4, 7(7)-6(4).
Sebastian Santos provided a strong start for the Male Tennisters with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Jules Lazaro in the second singles match. NU’s Andrei Padao responded with a hard-fought 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 victory over Ericjay Tangub in the first singles match.
Reigning MVP Nilo Ledama extended UST’s lead with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win against EJ Tugade in third singles. Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan then sealed the victory with a 7(7)-6(3), 6-3 triumph over Aljon Talatayod and Gab Bandoquillo in the second doubles match.
The Male Tennisters tightened their grip on the top seed with a 9-1 record, while the Bulldogs slipped to second at 8-2.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Final Four-bound University of the East also kept its twice-to-beat hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over De La Salle University.
Kiz Bryan Cinco and Mark Dave Palanas provided the finishing blow in the second doubles match, dominating Fernando Po and Marcus Guinoo, 6-3, 7(8)-6(6), to clinch the tie.
JB Aguilar set the tone for UE with a 6-0, 6-3 win over JT Bernardo in the second singles match. La Salle’s Yassan Al-Anazi struck back with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Romeo Largo in the first singles match, while EJ Geluz gave the Green Tennisters another point with a 6-0, 6-4 win against Marc Suson in the third singles match.
UE refused to back down, as RJ Baje and Kent Morales pulled off a clutch 6-1, 4-6, 10-8 victory over Leyton Portin and Rupert Tortal in the first doubles match, forcing the decisive second doubles encounter.
With the win, the Red Warriors improved to 7-3, while the Green Tennisters remained winless at 0-11.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
University of the Philippines, on the other hand, bolstered its twice-to-beat bid with a crucial 4-1 victory over Adamson.
“Sobrang exciting kasi this is what we’ve been trying to do for the past two seasons, so being here right now for the first time, hearing that secured spot na sa Final Four makes us hungrier. Kasi it’s gonna be my first time and I know it’s a different atmosphere out there, so I can’t wait,” said UP team captain Loucas Fernandez.
“We haven’t beaten UST and UE so far pero maybe we need to adjust a few things lang in terms of lineup, work, or maybe overall fitness namin, because tennis is a game of inches eh. ‘Yung margins are so small. Every step we do, every conditioning we do in training matters, so that could be the difference between winning and losing.”
Raymund Goco and Karl Miguel delivered the final blow for UP, dismantling Emmanuel Pedrosa and Ramon Bentillo in the first doubles match, 6-2, 6-2.
Fernandez made an immediate impact in the first singles match, dominating Neo Maratas, 6-0, 6-1. Lance Fernandez followed suit with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory over Angelo Rosales in the second singles match.
UP’s Andrei Jarata then battled past Miecoz Candelasa, 6-3, 7-5, to take full control of the tie.
Adamson avoided a sweep as Nikko Lumahang and Tristan Correos outplayed Aslan Carbonilla and Miguel Iglupas in the second doubles match, 6-2, 6-4.
With the win, the Fighting Maroons moved into a share of third place with the Red Warriors at 7-3, while Adamson dropped to 2-9, remaining in sixth.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the earlier women’s tie, finals-bound UST capped off the elimination round with a hard-fought 3-2 win over La Salle, staying sharp ahead of the championship match.
Judy Padilla and Debbie Gom-os delivered the clincher in the second doubles match, overpowering Arthea Lu and Althea Lu, 6-1, 6-0.
Mica Emana provided a dominant start for the Female Tennisters, blanking Jam Madis, 6-0, 6-0, in the second singles match. Kaye Emana extended UST’s lead with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Bea Gomez in first singles.
La Salle fought back, with Maikee Vicencio eking out a 6-3, 7(7)-6(3) win over Patricia Lim in third singles. Although the tie was already decided, Arianne Nillasca and Amor Idjao still battled to a 1-6, 6-3, 11-9 win against Kryshana Brazal and Princess Dela Rita in first doubles.
The Female Tennisters concluded the eliminations with a 7-1 record, securing the top seed, while La Salle remained in fourth at 1-6.
