By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — Defending champion National University and University of Santo Tomas forced a playoff for the last twice-to-beat bonus after recording victories over De La Salle University and University of the East, respectively, in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Tennis Tournament on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
The Bulldogs notched their second straight win with a 5-0 sweep of the Green Tennisters, while the Male Tennisters bounced back from Saturday’s loss with a 4-1 triumph over the Red Warriors. Both squads improved to 9-3, sharing second place.
Meanwhile, Final Four-bound University of the Philippines extended its winning streak to seven with a 5-0 rout of Adamson University, improving to 11-1 and securing the top spot in the tournament, also supported by Wilson Philippines.
NU clinched the tie through Isaac Lim, who outplayed Yassan Al-Anazi in first singles, 6-3, 6-3.
The Bulldogs built an early cushion as Alexis Acabo swept past JT Bernardo, 6-0, 6-3, in third singles. Andrei Padao followed with an emphatic 6-1, 6-0 victory over EJ Geluz in second singles.
“Sobrang importante po sa amin ‘yung pagkapanalo namin ngayon kasi ‘yung UST po ay lumalaban din po sila and running for twice-to-beat [advantage] din sila,” said NU’s Padao. “Very crucial din po na may chance pa kami for twice-to-beat and knowing na ‘yung twice-to-beat sa semis, big advantage po talaga ‘yun kaya sobrang mahalaga po sa amin na nanalo kami ngayon at kahapon.”
Bulldogs Jules Lazaro and Angil Balaoing opened doubles play with a hard-fought 6-3, 5-7, 11-9 win over Fernando Po and Marcus Guinoo. Christian Padilla and Miguel Vicencio later completed the sweep, besting Rupert Tortal and Daniel Estanislao, 7-6(7), 6-3, in second doubles.
The Green Tennisters fell to 4-8, ending their season in fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the UST-UE matchup, Evan Bacalso rallied to clinch the tie for the Male Tennisters in second singles, turning a 4-6 deficit into a 7-5 (ret.) win over Marc Suson.
UST surged ahead as Christopher Sonsona dismantled Allyson Cabanilla, 6-2, 6-1, in first singles. Momentum stayed with the Male Tennisters when Nash Agustines and Richard Bautista overran Mark Dave Palanas and Kian Sanchez, 6-3, 6-4, in first doubles.
The Red Warriors fought back to stay alive, with JB Aguilar grinding out a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win against Ericjay Tangub in third singles.
The tie concluded as Male Tennisters Al-Zayeed Baid and Steven Sonsona claimed second doubles, 6-3, 6-4, over Kiz Bryan Cinco and Gerald Gemida.
UE finished the eliminations in fourth place with a 7-5 record and will face UP in the Final Four.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP’s Heinz Carbonilla delivered the finishing blow in first singles, turning back Nikko Lumahang, 7-5, 6-3, to clinch the tie.
Andrei Jarata gave the Fighting Maroons a dominant start, overwhelming Albretch Job, 6-1, 6-1, in third singles. Miguel Iglupas reinforced the advantage with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Miecoz Candelasa, giving UP a 2-0 lead.
Doubles action remained equally dominant, as Loucas and Lance Fernandez ran through John Kenneth Jumamoy and Vinz Bering in first doubles with a perfect 6-0, 6-0 victory, even after the tie had already been decided.
Fighting Maroons Raymund Goco and Carl Tan closed out the day with authority, handling Adamson’s Lander Butcon and Angelo Rosales in second doubles, 6-4, 6-2, completing the sweep.
The Soaring Falcons ended their season at sixth place with a 2-10 record.
