By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — University of the East and National University Nazareth School punched their tickets to the final of the inaugural UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Tennis Tournament after dispatching De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo de Manila University, respectively, on Saturday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
The Junior Warriors remained unbeaten through six ties, sweeping the Jr. Green Tennisters 3-0 while the Bullpups overcame the Blue Eagles in a tightly contested 2-0 victory, setting up a final showdown on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. in this tournament supported by Wilson Philippines.
Kyle Saga turned in a clinical performance, dismantling Jairo Flores 6-1, 6-2, to deliver the clincher for UE in second singles.
“Masaya kami since nag-start kami ng tennis. Pangarap talaga naming maka-UAAP. Tapos ngayon ‘yung inaugural na UAAP [boys’ tennis] tapos kami ‘yung first finalist, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam,” said Saga.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Al Tristan Licayan put the Junior Warriors in early command, defeating Raphael Wong in first singles, 6-1, 6-2.
With the tie already decided, UE tandem Kobi Luzon and Aser Delos Santos still dug deep, grinding out a 6-3, 7-5 win over John Mateo De Ocampo and Jason Del Rosario to complete the sweep.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the other tie, NUNS’ Ariel Cabaral outlasted Miguel Lagac in a gripping 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) victory to secure the clinching point in a rematch of their Singles Event championship battle.
Holding a 5-2 edge in the deciding tiebreak, Cabaral survived a late rally from Lagac, who fought back to 6-all, before closing it out.
“Nakaka-pressure po pero ang saya… [and] thankful pa rin ako kasi nagawan pa rin ng paraan para manalo and then si God pa rin ang nag-guide sa akin throughout the game,” said Cabaral.
“It’s pressure for me po kasi naglaban kami sa Finals ng individual [singles event]. Ang hinahawakan ko lang na confidence is tinalo ko na siya sa individual, and although humahabol pa rin siya kasi fighter na fighter po talaga siya… pero sa akin lang is kapitan ko lang every point. Kung makuha man niya, at least napapagod din siya bago niya makuha ‘yung point,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Bullpups drew first blood as Jeremiah Labasano bested Marcus Dimalaluan 6-3, 6-3 in the opening match.
The Junior Green Tennisters and the Blue Eagles will clash for the bronze on Saturday at 7:30 a.m.
