By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
National University closed out the first round of the UAAP Season 87 Tennis Tournaments in commanding fashion, securing crucial victories in both the men’s and women’s divisions, Wednesday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The ties were originally scheduled for last Saturday but were postponed due to heavy rains.
The Bulldogs stunned defending men’s champions University of Santo Tomas Male Tennisters in a thrilling 3-2 showdown, while the Lady Bulldogs swept the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 5-0, to cap their unbeaten run and cement their place atop the standings.
The Bulldogs pulled off a gutsy upset over the Male Tennisters, with Aljon Talatayod and Gab Bandoquillo delivering the decisive win in the second doubles match.
The pair outlasted Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan in a gripping 3-6, 6-4, 10-6 battle that sealed the Bulldogs’ victory.
“‘Yung determination ng team namin na gustong manalo today against UST, siyempre sila ‘yung defending champions. So lahat ng school gustong manalo against UST kasi sila ‘yung team to beat kasi sila ‘yung two-peat champions… So ‘yun yung goal namin and sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said NU coach Fritz Verdad.
“Sobrang laki [ng motivation] kasi tinalo namin ‘yung number one ng UAAP [Tennis] so sobrang laking tulong ‘to na nanalo ‘yung team namin against them,” he added.
This win marked NU’s fifth consecutive victory since their opening-day loss to University of the Philippines in this tournament supported by Wilson Philippines.
With the win, the Bulldogs improved to a 5-1 record, tying UST at the top of the standings.
UST’s Nilo Ledama set the tone early with a swift 6-1, 6-2 win over NU’s Jules Lazaro in the second singles match. However, Bulldog Andrei Padao weathered a grueling battle against Ericjay Tangub, clinching a 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (ret.) victory after Tangub was forced to retire due to cramps.
Momentum swung in NU’s favor as Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla rallied past Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines, 2-6, 6-4, 10-3, in the first doubles match.
UST kept their hopes alive as Sebastian Santos outlasted EJ Tugade in a first singles thriller, 2-6, 7(7)-6(0), 6-2, to force a deciding match. Talatayod and Bandoquillo then sealed the deal for the Bulldogs with their clutch doubles win.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the women’s division, Danna Abad delivered the match-winner, cruising past Althea Martirez in the first singles match, 6-3, 6-0.
Elsie Abarquez added to NU’s momentum with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory over Zaina Omar in the third singles match, following JM Carcueva’s earlier walkover win against Chelsea Roque.
The Lady Bulldogs’ doubles teams showed no mercy as Adi Abadia and Rovie Baulete dismantled Angela Buyante and Audrey Ruiz, 6-0, 6-0.
Jasmine Jaran and Juliana Carvajal then matched that dominance with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Reizel Coco and Adriana Cabahug.
