Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

News

Bulldogs continue mastery over Fighting Maroons


Ever since the men’s tennis program of National University started, they have always won against the University of the Philippines.

The defending champions continued their mastery of their two-time Finals rivals after completing a 4-1 rout, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Second-year Macky Latorre shared that coach Karl Santamaria told them to approach the day’s assignment with a fresh outlook. “Unang-una, pinaliwanag sa ‘min na kalimutan na yung nakaraan, yung standing, kasi bagong team na ‘to eh.”

“Magtulungan kami. Bawat game dapat nag-i-improve kami.”

Such improvement was what Latorre and the rest of the Bulldogs showed in the tie against the Fighting Maroons.

Coach Santamaria was impressed of how Latorre and returning player Arc Dolorito stepped up in their win against Ateneo, and again the two delivered last Sunday.

Latorre outlasted UP’s own comeback kid Mikko Ringia in three sets, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5, in the first singles match. On his part, Dolirito took care of rookie Vincent Alanis in two 6-3 sets.

However, it was doubles pairs of the Bulldogs that sealed their second win.

Kiko Alcantara and Allen Manlangit dominated Auden Paduganan and Elijah Arevalo in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, in the first doubles match. In the other two-man match, the new partnership of Jigo Peña and Justin Prulla pocketed their first win after shaking off Maroon giants Mimo Tomacruz and Gabriel Guttierez.

The new-look Bulldogs are getting motivation from themselves, said Latorre. “Wala na kaming aasahan kundi yung sarili namin. Yung last year, wala na yun. Kaya talagang gagapang kami.”

“Masaya na naitatawid namin yung games,” he continued, referring to their 2-2 win-loss record. “Minsan mahirap kasi may mga nakakalabang malakas, pero gawin lang namin yung sinasabi ni coach.”

Third-year Joshua Cano saved the Seasons 76 and 78 runners-up after outhustling AJ Alejandre, 6-4, 6-4 in the second singles match.

#ReadMore  Jose, Tamaraws live to fight another day

The Bulldogs will continue their abandoned tie against the De La Salle University Green Tennisters (1-3) on Wednesday, March 1.

On the other hand the Fighting Maroons (1-3) will try to close out their first round with a win when they battle in their postponed tie against the University of Santo Tomas Male Tennisters (2-2) later that day.

Grew to appreciate various sports from tennis to judo. True-maroon kiddo since the new millennium. Fanboy. Singer. Occasional sports writer.


You May Also Like

ADMU

By: Justine Anne Gaerlan Defending champion University of Santo Tomas and Season 85 runners-up Ateneo de Manila University punched their tickets back to the...

ADMU

University of the Philippines forced a playoff for the second Finals slot against University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Tennis...

ADMU

By: Justine Anne Gaerlan DEFENDING champion National University inched closer to completing an elimination round sweep in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Tennis tournament...

ADMU

University of Santo Tomas inched closer to a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four following a 4-1 romp of fellow semifinalist Ateneo de Manila...

ADMU

National University’s three-peat dreams received a boost after securing a spot in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Tennis Finals with a 4-1 victory over...

ADMU

Last season’s finalists University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo de Manila University booked a return trip to the UAAP Men’s Table Tennis Final Four...

AdU

Jarell Edangga pulled through to complete a 4-1 upset of University of the East over the erstwhile undefeated University of Santo Tomas in the...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University captured its sixth win to rise to solo second in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Tennis tournament with a rousing...

Advertisement