Defending champion University of Santo Tomas once again showcased its dominance with a 4-1 conquest of runner-up Ateneo De Manila University in a rematch of last season’s UAAP Men’s Tennis finals on Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.
The Male Tennisters stayed ahead in the standings with a flawless 4-0 record, while the Blue Eagles fell to 3-1, creating a logjam in second to fourth places with fellow last year’s semifinalists University of the East Red Warriors and National University Bulldogs.
UST’s Eric Jay Tangub kicked off the second singles match with a dominant performance, securing a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over Ateneo rookie JD Velez.
Season 85 Rookie-MVP Nilo Ledama then sustained UST’s momentum, taking on the first singles match with resilience and strategic play against Noy Seno, eventually notching the victory, 6-1, 1-6, 6-2.
The Male Tennisters’ Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan won the second doubles match, 6-2, 0-1 over the Blue Eagles’ JJ Llavore and Stef Gurria, following the latter pair’s retirement, securing the win for the defending champions.
Ateneo’s Nio Tria and Axl Gonzaga took one back for their side against UST’s Richard Bautista and Geo Serino, emerging as victors in the second doubles match with a score of 3-6, 7(4)-6, 6-2.
Sebastian Santos, though, closed the rousing win for the Male Tennisters with a clinical finish past Blue Eagle Austin Delos Santos with a score of 6-3, 6-1, in the third singles rubber.
In an earlier match, UE secured a bounce-back victory against winless Adamson University, prevailing with a clean sweep, 5-0.
Romeo Largo took the lead for the Red Warriors in the initial singles match against Adamson’s Miecoz Candelesa, 6-0, 6-4, before Marc Nicole Suson added another for UE after he triumphed over Ramon Bentillo with a score of 7(1)-6, 6-2.
The doubles action was equally impressive for the Red Warriors, with the duo of Dawson Ormoc and Prince Bo Lastimosa taking the first doubles match over Lawrence Sombreo and Tristan Correo, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1.
Rastley John Baje and Kent Morales then continued their team’s success by defeating Jerald Delos Santos and Nikko Lumahan, 7-5, 6-4.
Jarrell Edangga completed the sweep, claiming a resounding victory over Herald Aton 6-1, 6-2.
The Red Warriors improved their record to 3-1, tying the Bulldogs for third place. Adamson remained at the bottom of the standings with a 0-5 record.
On the other hand, NU registered its second-straight victory with a resounding 4-1 win against De La Salle University.
AJ Alejandre and Gab Bandoquillo set the tone for the Bulldogs with an impressive performance, claiming victory in the opening doubles match.
They battled fiercely against the Green Tennisters’ Leyton Portin and Enzo Enriquez, eventually sealing the win with a score of 6-2, 7(5)-6.
The momentum continued for NU as Benedict Santiago showcased his skills and determination in the first singles match, triumphing over La Salle’s Ohye Tortal with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2.
DLSU, however, fought back as Brysl Libao and RJ Virrey displayed a strong performance, securing a win in the second doubles match against NU’s Angil Balaoing and Vaughn Codilla with a score of 6-2, 6-2.
Ibarra Ortega stepped up for the Bulldogs in a closely contested second singles match against the Green Tennisters’ EJ Geluz and emerged victorious with a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win, ultimately sealing the deal for National University.
In the women’s division, reigning champion NU (3-0) extended its undefeated run by securing a 3-2 win against Ateneo (0-4), who ended the first round without a victory.
The Lady Bulldogs initiated the charge with Elsie Abarquez delivering a commanding performance in the first singles match. Abarquez defeated Althea Ong with a decisive score of 6-1, 6-0.
Angela Cabaral and Rovie Baluete then claimed the first doubles match with an impressive performance against Tricia Howard and Nina Sandejas, earning a convincing 6-0, 6-0 victory.
Adeline Abadia then completed the victory with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Chelsea Roque.
Later that afternoon, UST emerged victorious over Season 85 runner-up UP in a stunning 5-0 sweep to claim a share of second place in the women’s standings.
The Female Tennisters’ Patricia Lim started strong by winning the opening singles match against Renee Esteban, 6-4, 6-3, while Debbie Gom-os and Miles Vitaliano contributed to UST’s score with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Season 85 Rookie of the Year Joshea Malazarte and Jesha Cervantes in the first doubles.
Senior Alex Santos ultimately sealed UST’s win by the second singles match, dealing UP rookie Jufe Cocoy — and the Fighting Maroons — a first defeat in a thrilling, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 battle.
Both UST and UP hold a 2-1 record.
