By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of the East secured its third consecutive victory, edging out Ateneo de Manila University 3-2 to claim sole possession of second place in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Tennis Tournament, Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.
Kent Morales and RJ Baje delivered the decisive win for the Red Warriors, overcoming JB Cuarto and Aidyll Ignacio 6-4, 6-4 in the second doubles match to seal the overall triumph.
UE’s Jarrell Edangga dominated Ateneo’s Gab Quintana with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 sweep in the opening singles match, setting the tone for his team.
JB Aguilar maintained the momentum for UE, battling past Stef Gurria in the third singles match with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-3 victory, extending the Red Warriors’ lead to 2-0.
Ateneo responded through JD Velez, who claimed the second singles match after Marc Suson, trailing 0-3 in the second set, was forced to retire due to cramps. Velez took the win at 6-4, 3-0 (ret.).
JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue kept the Blue Eagles in contention with a gritty comeback in the first doubles match, rallying past Romeo Largo and Mark Dave Palanas.
After dropping the first set 3-6, they stormed back to take the second 6-3 before clinching a dramatic 12-10 victory in the deciding super tiebreak, forcing a final match to decide the tie.
However, Morales and Baje’s composed performance in the second doubles match secured UE’s 4-1 record, while Ateneo dropped to 2-3, settling in fifth place in this tournament supported by Wilson.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines snapped its two-game skid with a commanding 5-0 sweep over Adamson University.
Miguel Iglupas sealed the victory for UP, defeating Angelo Rosales 6-3, 6-3 in the second singles match.
Raymund Goco set the pace for the Fighting Maroons with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over Adamson’s Neo Maratas in the opening singles match. Loucas Fernandez followed suit, breezing past Miecoz Candelasa with another 6-1, 6-1 triumph in the third singles match.
In doubles play, Ava Mandac and Andrei Jarata outlasted Ramon Bentillo and Tristan Correos, securing a well-earned 6-3, 6-4 victory in the second doubles match.
Lance Fernandez and Aslan Carbonilla capped UP’s stellar outing, rallying from a set down to defeat Emmanuel Pedrosa and Herald Aton 5-7, 6-4, 11-9 in the first doubles match.
With the win, UP improved to a 3-2 record, tying National University for third place. Adamson, now 1-5, remained in sixth place.
The scheduled afternoon matches between National University and University of Santo Tomas in the men’s division, as well as the women’s match between NU and Ateneo, were postponed due to persistent rain.
Sunday’s lineup remains unchanged.
