University of the Philippines held off defending champion National University in a thrilling 3-2 victory to secure at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Tennis Tournament on Wednesday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court.
In other matches, University of Santo Tomas stayed steady with a 4-1 win over Adamson University, while University of the East dominated Ateneo de Manila University, 5-0.
With these results, the Fighting Maroons maintained first place at 9-1.
The Male Tennisters, who extended their winning streak to six ties, moved up to 9-2 for solo second, while the Red Warriors tied the Bulldogs at 7-3 in this tournament, which is also supported by Wilson Philippines.
With the tie on the line, Carl Tan and Andrei Jarata stepped up in second doubles, earning a 6-3, 6-4 win over Miguel Vicencio and Jules Lazaro to close out the match and secure the Fighting Maroons’ fifth straight victory.
Lance Fernandez got UP rolling in second singles, cruising past Alexis Acabo 6-3, 6-2. Andrei Padao pulled NU level with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Loucas Fernandez in third singles. Isaac Lim then extended the Bulldogs’ lead after recovering from a first-set stumble, defeating Heinz Carbonilla 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in first singles.
The tie went down to the wire as UP duo Raymund Goco and Miguel Iglupas edged Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla 7-5, 6-3 in first doubles, setting up a deciding match.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the UST-Adamson clash, Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines turned their first doubles match around, overcoming Adamson’s Angelo Rosales and Lander Butcon 2-6, 6-1, 10-7 to secure the tie for the Male Tennisters.
Male Tennister Ericjay Tangub dominated second singles, posting a 6-2, 6-0 win over Albretch Job, while Evan Bacalso surged past Nikko Lumahang in third singles, 6-2, 6-3, to lift UST ahead.
Miecoz Candelasa battled through three sets to claim first singles, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 over Mcleen Gomera, giving Adamson a point. Steven Sonsona and Al Zayeed Baid delivered a 6-2, 6-4 second doubles win over John Kenneth Jumamoy and Herald Aton to wrap up the tie.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For UE, JB Aguilar secured the clinching point against Ateneo, taking second singles 6-1, 6-3 over JD Velez. Allyson Cabanilla claimed UE’s first point with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Vito Singson in opening singles, and Kian Sanchez followed with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Gabby Calilung in third singles, putting the Red Warriors ahead.
A flawless second doubles performance from Mark Dave Palanas and Kent Morales over Gab Quintana and Lukas Yupangco, 6-0, 6-0, widened UE’s lead. The Red Warriors completed the sweep as Marc Suson and RJ Baje dominated first doubles, 6-1, 6-1 over JB Cuarto and JC Pabillore.
The Soaring Falcons fell to 2-9, while the Blue Eagles are yet to notch a victory in 11 outings.
