By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — University of the Philippines booked its UAAP Collegiate Women’s Tennis Finals return after three years, dethroning defending champion University of Santo Tomas, 3-1, on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
Joshea Malazarte and Marielle Jarata endured a grueling three-set battle against Judy Padilla and Nichole Dela Rita, 7-5, 4-6, 10-4, in first doubles, sending the Fighting Maroons to only their second-ever championship appearance.
“Sinabihan lang namin ng coaches namin pagdating sa tiebreak is ‘This is our favorite.’ So parang sinabi niya na kung matibay ‘yung loob niyo, mananalo tayo dito,” said Malazarte.
“Tinibayan lang namin ‘yung loob namin. Although may mga pressure moments, I think Maxie and I stayed composed lang talaga. Tsaka ‘yung mindset lang namin na kapag naghihirap kami sa points, dapat paghirapan din ng kalaban namin ‘yung puntos.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Very emotional… ‘yun ‘yung hinope talaga namin since we have a new roster, new faces sa team. But this time, ‘yung ladder lang talaga muna ‘yung [focus] namin. Very emotional since ilang beses kaming nadapa, against NU rin. So coming into this match, do-or-die, so it’s very emotional kasi binigay namin lahat at nagbunga rin naman,” Malazarte added.
Earlier, Jufe Cocoy secured the first point for the Fighting Maroons with a straight-sets win over Mica Emana, 6-2, 6-2, in first singles.
UST’s Kaye Emana countered with a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Maria Divinagracia, but Paula Uy restored UP’s lead after a three-set clash with Kaye Mustaza in third singles, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
UP’s Sydney Enriquez and Anica Cari split the first two sets with Justine Maneja and Minette Bentillo, 2-6, 7-6(1), before the second doubles match was abandoned.
The Fighting Maroons, who topped the eliminations with a 6-2 record in the tournament supported by Wilson Philippines, will face their finals opponent after UST settled for bronze with a 5-3 finish.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the other tie, De La Salle University ended a four-tie losing streak with a 5-0 sweep over Ateneo de Manila University.
DLSU concluded its season in fifth place with a 3-5 record.
Angeline Alcala led the Lady Tennisters’ victory, fending off Althea Ong, 6-2, 7-5, in a tense first singles match for the team’s third win of the season.
Annika Diwa set the tone with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Eloh Castolo in second singles.
Maikee Vicencio continued the streak, defeating Ateneo’s Zaina Omar, 6-0, 6-0, in third singles.
Guysie Guardo and Althea Liwag sustained DLSU’s momentum in doubles, overcoming Althea Martirez and Chelsea Roque, 4-6, 6-3, 10-5, in second doubles.
Lady Tennisters Amor Idjao and Bea Gomez completed the clean sweep by dispatching Cacai Padilla and Angela Buyante, 6-2, 6-4, in second doubles.
The Blue Eagles finished their campaign winless through eight ties.
