NATIONAL University pulled off the season’s first shutout win in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Tennis tournament, taking a 5-0 victory over De La Salle University, on Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center.
After all ties went to 3-2, the reigning champions finally broke the mold against the gallant stand of the Lady Green Tennisters for the squad’s second straight victory.
Last season’s MVP Mae Bornia and fellow Lady Bulldog Alliah Ragunton pulled it off against Jed Aquino and Jam Madis in the first set before dominating the second, 7-5, 6-2 to close the tie at the first doubles match.
“I’m happy with the win but we definitely need to do more work. I think we could have done better, but a win is a win. We’ll train to be better the next game,” said two-time UAAP champion Bornia.
Rookie Adeline Abadia opened the day for NU with a solid work past CJ Silva, 6-1, 6-0, before last year’s Finals heroine Danna Abad turned back Maikee Vicencio, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, to put the Bustillos-based side up at 2-0.
Rovie Baulete and Angela Cabaral took the second doubles match at 6-3, 6-3 over Arianne Nillasca and Amor Idjao, while Elise Abarquez completed the sweep with a 6-4, 6-1 work past Annika Diwa.
University of the Philippines, NU’s runner-up from last season, also stayed unbeaten after two ties after a 3-2 decision over Ateneo de Manila University.
Captain Trish Valdez made amends for her opening day loss to set the tone for the UP, driving in a 6-1, 6-1 dominance past Althea Ong before rookie Jufe Cocoy took another solid win — a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Chelsea Roque.
Joshea Malazarte, last year’s Rookie of the Year, and partner Jesha Cervantes then secured the tie with a similar 6-2, 6-1 take of Elle Urgello and Nina Sandejas.
Ateneo took the last two matches with Althea Martirez and Yam Garsin shaking off the comeback attempt of Anica Cari and Jonamil Prado, 6-2, 7-5, in the first doubles match, and Faye Dizon blanking Renee Esteban, 6-0, 6-0.
On the men’s side, Ateneo and UST kept their place on top of the standings ahead of their highly anticipated clash on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
The Blue Eagles took down the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 4-1, while the Male Tennisters swept De La Salle University Green Tennisters, 5-0.
Noy Seno and rookie Austin Delos Santos, both usually play singles, connived this time to put the Blue Eagles undefeated after three ties, winning the second doubles match, 6-4, 6-2 over Ramon Bentillo and Tristan Correos.
Miecoz Candeleza took one back for the tournament hosts in the second singles rubber over Nio Tria, 6-2, 6-3, but it was all Adamson could manage, slipping to a 0-3 win-loss card.
On the other hand, Sebastian Santos returned to action with a huge 6-1, 6-2 win over Dan Angelo Mates, even as Ericjay Tangub closed the third straight win for the defending champions with a 6-2, 6-0 clinic past Nonoy Po.
The NU Bulldogs took the other win of the day with a 4-1 rout of the UP Fighting Maroons for the squad’s second win of the season against a lone defeat.
Ibarra Ortega stifled the challenge of rookie Andrei Jarata in a 7-5, 6-2 victory, to set up the rousing 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 clincher of Angil Balaoing and Vaughn Codilla over Hakim Boloto and Allen Rombawa.
The Fighting Maroons and the Green Tennisters are tied at fifth to sixth places with identical 1-2 slates.
