By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
REIGNING champion National University made a powerful statement to open the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Tennis Tournament, sweeping De La Salle University 5-0 to keep its perfect record intact on Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
JM Carcueva sealed the victory for the Lady Bulldogs with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win over Jam Madis in the third singles match.
“Teamwork talaga ‘yung importante kasi if we trust each other within the team, nakakadagdag ‘yun ng confidence especially sa mga naglalaro and also cheering each other [on] for us to perform our best,” said Carcueva, sharing what has fueled NU’s unbeaten run.
“To keep the momentum, andiyan din ‘yung mga coaches namin, nag[bibigay ng] advice, nagpapatuloy sa pagpunta sa court… para ma-improve pa ‘yung laro namin,” added the 23-year-old Davaoeña.
NU’s Danna Abad set the tone with a dominant 6-1, 6-4 victory over La Salle’s Bea Gomez in the first singles match. Elsie Abarquez faced a tougher challenge but fought hard for a 6-3, 7-5 win over Maikee Vicencio in the second singles encounter.
The Lady Bulldogs’ duo of Jasmine Jaran and Kolin Cornell cruised past Precious Miranda and Althea Liwag, 6-2, 6-1, in the first doubles match, further extending NU’s lead to 4-0.
Adi Abadia and Rovie Baulete capped off the sweep with a gritty comeback, rallying from a 1-6 deficit to outlast Amor Idjao and Arianne Nillasca, 1-6, 7(7)-6(4), 10-6, in the second doubles match.
The Lady Bulldogs maintained their perfect 5-0 record to stay atop the standings, while the Lady Tennisters slipped to 1-5, placing them fourth in the tournament supported by Wilson Philippines.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas displayed its strength with a 4-1 triumph over University of the Philippines. Justine Maneja and Minette Bentillo clinched the overall win with a convincing 6-4, 6-0 rout of UP’s Sydney Enriquez and Gia Cari in the first doubles match.
Kaye Emana dominated the second singles match, overpowering UP’s Joshea Malazarte 6-2, 6-2. Patricia Lim followed suit with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Renee Esteban in the third singles match.
UP managed to score a point thanks to Jufe Cocoy, who staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Mica Emana 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the first singles match.
However, any hopes of a UP rally were crushed as Judy Padilla and Debbie Gom-os secured the tie with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win over Glydel Guevarra and JM Prado in the second doubles match.
The Female Tennisters improved to a 5-1 record, strengthening their hold on second place, while the Fighting Maroons fell to 3-3, placing them third.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the men’s division, NU continued its dominance by dismantling University of the East 5-0, clinching its sixth consecutive win to stay tied with UST at the top of the standings. Jules Lazaro sealed the victory with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Romeo Largo in the third singles match.
EJ Tugade set the tone with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over UE’s Marc Suson in the second singles match. Andrei Padao followed with a strong 6-0, 7-5 win against JB Aguilar in the first singles match.
Aljon Talatayod and Gab Bandoquillo kept NU in control, staying composed in a tense first-set tiebreak before pulling away for a 7(7)-6(4), 6-2 win over Mark Dave Palanas and Kiz Bryan Cinco in the first doubles match. Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla completed the sweep with a hard-fought 1-6, 6-2, 10-6 comeback win against Jarrell Edangga and Kent Morales in the second doubles match.
NU improved to a 6-1 record, tied with UST for the top spot, while UE dropped to 5-3, settling in fourth place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UP extended its winning streak to four with a 4-1 victory over La Salle. Loucas Fernandez delivered the decisive blow with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over EJ Geluz in the third singles match.
Lance Fernandez started UP’s charge with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win over Ohye Tortal in the first singles match. Miguel Iglupas followed with a composed 6-2, 6-2 victory against Yassan Al-Anazi in the second singles match.
La Salle showed resilience with Leyton Portin and JT Bernardo claiming a 7(7)-6(5), 6-2 win over Rafael Liangco and Raymund Goco in the first doubles match.
However, UP’s Andrei Jarata and Ava Mandac ended any comeback hopes with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Darwin Cosca and Marcus Guinoo in the second doubles match.
The Fighting Maroons improved to 6-2, while the Green Tennisters remained winless after eight ties.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Later that day, Ateneo secured its third win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Adamson University. The Blue Eagles leaned on Aidyll Ignacio and Gian Camingue’s dominant 6-1, 6-2 performance over Kyle Roble and Emmanuel Pedrosa in the first doubles match.
Angelo Rosales gave the Soaring Falcons an early boost with a 6-2, 6-2 win over JJ Llavore in the second singles match. Ateneo’s Stef Gurria fought back to earn a 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory against Ramon Bentillo in the first singles match.
JD Velez sealed the win for Ateneo with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 triumph over Miecoz Candelasa in the third singles match.
Adamson ended the tie on a positive note as Tristan Correos and Nikko Lumahang took down JB Cuarto and Rafa Mendoza 6-2, 6-1 in the second doubles match.
Ateneo improved to a 3-5 record, placing them fifth, while Adamson remained in sixth with a 1-7 slate.
