By: Justine Anne Gaerland
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — Defending champion University of Santo Tomas notched its first win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Tennis Tournament after taking down Ateneo de Manila University, 4-1, on Saturday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
De La Salle University, meanwhile, pulled off a breakthrough 3-2 upset over National University to climb to 2-1 in this tournament, which is also supported by Wilson.
The UST Female Tennisters evened their record at 1-1, while the DLSU Lady Tennisters improved to 2-1.
On the other hand, the Lady Bulldogs slipped to 1-1 to tie UST for third, as the Blue Eagles remain in search of their first win after four ties.
Idle University of the Philippines is still on top with a 2-0 record.
Judy Padilla and Christine Gulagula delivered in the crucial stretch, beating Zaina Omar and Eloh Castolo in second doubles, 6-0, 6-0, to secure the deciding point for the UST Female Tennisters.
“’Yung mindset po namin ay laban lang po and siyempre, alam namin ‘yung mga kalaban namin na gusto rin nilang mabawi ‘yung championship. Kami po, lalaban at lalaban lang para ma-defend ‘yung championship namin,” said UST’s reigning MVP Kaye Emana.
“Ngayon, nakikita ko po [sa team] na medyo kulang po kami sa play, pero lumalaban pa rin po.”
The Female Tennisters wasted no time seizing control. Reigning Rookie of the Year Mica Emana defeated Cacai Padilla in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, in first singles.
After splitting the first two sets of her next match, Emana steadied herself in the decider, overpowering Althea Ong, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, to extend UST’s lead to 2-0.
The Blue Eagles pulled one point back through Althea Martirez and Chelsea Roque, who took control late for a 7-5, 6-2 win in first doubles.
UST, however, had the final say as Kaye Mustaza edged Angela Buyante, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, to close out the tie.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the La Salle-NU matchup, with the result still hanging in the balance, Amor Idjao and Chelsea Bernaldez sealed the upset by defeating Kolin Cornell and Juliana Carvajal, 6-4, 6-3, in second doubles.
The Lady Bulldogs struck first, with Adeline Abadia cruising past Sophie Moreno, 6-2, 6-0, in second singles. Elsie Abarquez then outlasted Angeline Alcala, 7(7)-6(3), 6-0, in third singles to give NU a 2-0 edge.
DLSU began its comeback in doubles, as Annika Diwa and Guysie Guardo dominated Rovie Baulete and AJ Acabo, 6-2, 6-1, in first doubles to get on the board.
Maikee Vicencio followed with a gritty 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-1 comeback win over JM Carcueva in first singles to level the tie.
