The University of Santo Tomas Female Tennisters fashioned a tight 3-2 victory over the De La Salle University Lady Tennisters, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, ahead of their Finals rematch against the National University Lady Bulldogs.
After carving out a dominant win against the University of the Philippines, the Tomasinas were challenged by the determined La Salle squad.
Lady Archer Jenni Dizon stunned Precian Rivera, 6-2, 6-2, in the first singles match to set the tone for the day’s intense action.
However, the Tigresses took care of the first doubles match and the second singles match to put themselves up at 2-1. April Santos and Ingrid Gonzales demolished Kianna Gacias and Kylla Orillosa, 6-0, 6-0. On the other court, Erika Manduriao finished off Chang Atangan, 6-4, 6-0.
With two matches left to be played, it was still anyone’s tie to win. In the end, Shymae Gitalan and Genevieve Caorte closed out their second doubles match and secured the tie win after wining in three sets over Princess Castillo and Jed Aquino, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
La Salle, nevertheless, took one back after Rachelle De Guzman outlasted Kendies Malinis, 6-0, 5-7, 6-1, in the third singles match.
UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz welcomed this kind of win, despite getting some unexpected results. “Siyempre nalaman din namin na ang La Salle hindi ganun kadaling kalaban.”
“Maganda yung game ngayon para sa preparation namin sa NU,” he shared. “Nakakalaban sila ng magaling na players. Yung capacity nila, kung hanggang sila … like yung last game [Malinis-De Guzman], yung kalaban niya nasa top eight before, so nakita niya, kaya pala kung pipilitin.”
The Female Tennisters (2-0) will try to extract the lessons from their wins in their Finals rematch against the defending champions NU (1-0), Wednesday, February 22. Earlier that day, the Lady Archers (0-1) and the UP Lady Maroons (0-1) will battle for a maiden win.
