Up to the end of their first round campaign, the tournament-favorites University of the East Red Warriors are showing no signs of letting up.
The Recto-based netters closed out the first round of eliminations with a 3-1 win over the struggling De La Salle University Green Tennisters, their fifth in as many ties this season, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Rookie AJ Lim resumed his dominant run after another double bagel victory over Rey Mayo in the first singles match.
In the other court, Josshua Kinaadman shook off LA Canizares’ challenge and doubled the lead for the unbeaten Warriors, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3.
Concurrently, the two doubles matches went to either teams, giving the Red and White the tie at the end of the day.
Kyle Parpan and Jonah Cano took one for La Salle, sweeping Paulo Baran and Jeric Delos Santos, 6-4, 6-2, in the first doubles match. Nonetheless, Rogelio Estaño and RJ Saga finished off Hans Asistio and Qoqo Allian in two 6-4 sets to clinch the win for UE.
Rodolfo Barquin, Jr. was leading Betto Orendain, 5-0, in the third set of the third singles match before it was abandoned due to darkness.
UE head coach Numero Lim was visibly pleased of their strong start. He said, “We’re very lucky and very fortunate to end up at the number one spot.”
Nonetheless, the mentor hopes that his players will continue to improve in the following matches. “Yung ibang players ko, kinakapa-kapa pa nila yung matches nila. So sana sa turn of events, mas maganda pa, at sana tuluy-tuloy lang yung pinapakita namin.”
Barquin will complete his abandoned matches for the Red Warriors on Wednesday, before the whole undefeated team gets going in the second round, starting on Saturday, March 4.
The Green Archers (1-3) will look to crowd the rest of the league in the standings when they battle the defending champions National University (2-2), Wednesday, March 1.
