By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — University of the East and National University Nazareth School punched their tickets to the semifinals after defeating separate opponents in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Tennis Tournament on Saturday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
UE maintained its perfect run with a 2-1 triumph over Ateneo de Manila University, improving to 4-0 and retaining the lead in the standings.
Meanwhile, NUNS held on to solo second place after sweeping PAREF-Southridge School, 3-0, improving to a 3-1 record in the tournament, also supported by Wilson.
Kobi Luzon and Aser Delos Santos delivered in doubles, grinding out a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Miguel Lagac and Jaime Reyes to secure UE’s 3-2 triumph.
“Happy po [kami] kasi nagbunga po lahat ng pagod namin, at siyempre, ‘di kami pinababayaan ng ating Panginoon,” said Junior Warrior Luzon.
“Siyempre po, dininig Niya po palagi ‘yung panalangin ko gabi-gabi, na sana po magtagumpay kami sa aming mga laro at mga laban namin, sa lahat po ng teams namin. Sobrang happy po namin dahil nakuha namin ‘yung semifinal [spot].”
Earlier, Lagac gave Ateneo the lead after overcoming Kyle Saga, 7-6(6), 4-1 (ret.), in first singles. UE responded in the next match as Al Tristan Licayan powered past Marcus Dimalaluan, 6-3, 6-0, in second singles, leveling the tie heading into doubles.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the NUNS–Southridge match, Ariel Cabaral delivered the clinching point, dominating Marco Montinola, 6-1, 6-2, in second singles to secure the Bullpups’ overall victory.
Jeremiah Labasano had opened the scoring for NUNS with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Samuel Salazar in first singles. He later teamed up with Cabaral to dominate Pio Feria and Quentin Marty in doubles, 6-0, 6-0.
The Admirals dropped to 0-4, officially ending their semifinal hopes.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In another matchup, De La Salle Zobel bounced back to the win column, improving to 2-2 after blanking University of Santo Tomas, 3-0.
Raphael Wong sealed the win for the Junior Green Tennisters with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Nicolo Olalia. Jairo Flores had opened the scoring with a hard-fought 7-5, 7-6(4) triumph over Rastan Baje in first singles.
Flores then teamed up with John Mateo De Ocampo to complete the sweep, defeating Baje and Olalia, 6-4, 6-3, in doubles.
DLSZ remained tied for third with Ateneo, while UST slipped to fifth with a 1-3 record.
