By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas inched closer to Final Four berths after 4-1 victories over University of the East and Ateneo de Manila University, respectively, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Tennis Tournament on Wednesday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
The win marked the Fighting Maroons’ second straight, improving their record to 6-1 and tying idle National University Bulldogs for first place. The Red Warriors, meanwhile, dropped to 5-3, remaining in fourth.
UST extended its winning streak to four after defeating Ateneo, climbing to 6-2 in third place. The Blue Eagles, winless through eight ties, bowed out of Final Four contention in this tournament supported by Wilson Philippines.
UP’s Lance Fernandez emerged as the difference-maker in third singles, holding his nerve against Marc Suson, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. After splitting the opening sets, Fernandez broke from 3-all in the decider, survived three deuces, and powered through to clinch the overall victory.
“It’s confidence. It’s the first time in… like 10 or 15 years that we’re the number one seed. And it’s nice being number one. It’s the first time we’re like the big dogs now. So it’s a nice feeling to have. It’s not pressure, it’s confidence,” said Lance Fernandez, reflecting on the Fighting Maroons’ position among the league leaders this season.
“For us right now, just take it every day. Don’t look too far. Just this day, we win this day, and then we move on to the next day. And then we rest and recover and just keep a healthy mindset,” he added. “Honestly, it’s all coach. He just says point by point, game by game, match by match… and we keep ourselves humble also, even though we’re number one. Just stay humble at every point.”
UP established control early, anchored by Loucas Fernandez’s 6-1, 6-0 win over Gerald Gemida in second singles. Fernandez opened with three straight games and conceded just one before stringing together the rest to take full command of the match.
The Fighting Maroons then strengthened their lead in first doubles, where Raymund Goco and Carl Tan outlasted Allyson Cabanilla and Kent Morales, 6-3, 2-6, 10-4.
UE responded in first singles as JB Aguilar defeated Miguel Iglupas, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Andrei Jarata and Heinz Carbonilla sealed the win for the Fighting Maroons, outlasting RJ Baje and Kian Sanchez, 6-4, 6(7)-7, 10-5 in second doubles for the 4-1 final score.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For UST, the turning point came in first doubles, where Steven Sonsona and Al Zayeed Baid outmaneuvered Gab Quintana and Gabby Calilung, 6-1, 6-0, securing the overall victory for the Male Tennisters.
Sebastian Santos put UST on the board with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Lukas Yupangco in third singles. Ericjay Tangub followed with a flawless performance in second singles, blanking JC Pabillore 6-0, 6-0, putting the Male Tennisters in control.
Even with the tie already decided, Ateneo’s JD Velez refused to fold, digging deep to outlast Evan Bacalso, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in first singles.
The tie concluded with Male Tennisters Nash Agustines and Brent Cortes in second doubles, cruising to a 6-2, 6-2 victory over JB Cuarto and Vito Singson.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the other tie, De La Salle University got back on track with a 3-2 win over Adamson University, improving its record to 3-5 in fifth place and staying alive in semifinals contention.
The Soaring Falcons now sit at 1-7, holding onto sixth place but teetering on the brink of elimination.
The clincher came courtesy of Daniel Estanislao and Rupert Tortal, who dispatched John Kenneth Jumamoy and Vinz Bering, 6-4, 6-1, in second doubles to put the tie out of reach.
EJ Geluz opened the scoring for the Green Tennisters, fending off Miecoz Candelasa, 6-2, 7-5 in first singles. Nikko Lumahang fired back for the Soaring Falcons, clawing his way to a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory in third singles over Yassan Al Anazi in third singles.
Albretch Job kept Adamson ahead, grinding out a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(3) win against JT Bernardo. But DLSU’s Fernando Po and Marcus Guinoo powered past Angelo Rosales and Lander Butcon, 6-4, 3-6, 10-5 in first doubles to push the tie to the decider.
