By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — University of the Philippines booked its long-awaited return to the Finals, while National University kept its title defense alive by forcing a rubber match in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Tennis Final Four on Saturday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
The Fighting Maroons defeated the UE Red Warriors, 3-2, to advance to their first Finals appearance since UAAP Season 78, while defending champions Bulldogs swept the UST Male Tennisters, 3-0, setting up a do-or-die clash on Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
UP relied on the heroics of Raymund Goco and Andrei Jarata to secure the first Finals berth in this tournament, supported by Wilson Philippines.
Locked in a tense early exchange, Goco and Jarata seized control when it mattered most, defeating Kian Sanchez and Mark Dave Palanas, 6-3, 6-2, in second doubles to clinch the victory for UP. The pair surged ahead with a 5-1 run and held their nerve in the next game to seal the match.
“Sobrang thankful kami sa naging result against UE nitong semis game namin. Sobrang happy kami nakuha namin after a decade, nabalik namin ‘yung finals appearance sa UP,” said Goco.
“Siyempre, sa doubles, more intense ‘yung game namin, tapos tiwala rin ako sa partner ko na si Andrei Jarata, na nagbigay sa akin ng lakas. Grabe ‘yung tiwala ko sa kanya on and off the court lalo na sa baseline. ‘Yung bola niya sobrang solid kaya thankful din ako sa partner ko,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Fighting Maroons wasted little time asserting their dominance, as Loucas Fernandez delivered a commanding 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Gerald Gemida in first singles.
Miguel Iglupas followed with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Marc Suson in third singles.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Red Warriors found their footing in doubles, with Kent Morales and Allyson Cabanilla defeating Heinz Carbonilla and Stephen Catipon, 6-2, 6-2, in the first doubles match.
JB Aguilar then fended off Lance Fernandez in second singles, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, forcing a decider.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs asserted dominance to keep their championship hopes alive.
With their season on the line, NU’s Angil Balaoing and Isaac Lim rose to the occasion, overpowering Al Zayeed Baid and Evan Bacalso, 6-2, 6-2, in first doubles, setting up a do-or-die showdown.
“Para sa amin, malaking adjustment po talaga kasi from last year, twice-to-beat kami, then ngayon hindi na. So more on pressure kami and siguro more on tiwala lang po kami talaga sa isa’t isa ngayon and siyempre kay God din po,” said Balaoing.
“Meron po kaming mga pinag-usapan. Nag-meeting po kaming teammates para po walang ma-down sa amin. Dapat stay up lang kahit anong mangyari. Kahit natalo kami sa playoffs, stay positive pa rin sa ano man ang mangyari, tsaka teamwork,” said Lim.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Andrei Padao made an early statement, overpowering Christopher Sonsona, 6-1, 6-2, in second singles to give NU a quick foothold in the tie.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Alexis Acabo followed, battling through a tight first set before taking control in the second to defeat Ericjay Tangub, 7-5, 6-2, and push the Bulldogs ahead.
On the other court, Sebastian Santos and Jules Lazaro traded sets, 7-5, 5-7, before the first singles match was abandoned.
