By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas dominated both the men’s and women’s divisions of the UAAP Season 87 Tennis Tournament, securing twin victories, Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The Male Tennisters moved one step closer to a first-round sweep after a commanding 5-0 victory over De La Salle University.
“‘Yung experience nila for last two seasons, malaking tulong ‘yun sa kanila—‘yung confidence nila, ‘yung experience nila… tsaka may mga graduating players din, so I think gusto rin nilang mag-perform talaga kasi apat sila sa team,” said UST head coach Alexander Diego, highlighting the team’s dominant run.
Nilo Ledama set the tone for UST, outlasting La Salle’s Ohye Tortal with a 7-5, 6-3 win in the first singles match. Ericjay Tangub followed with an emphatic 6-1, 6-1 victory over JT Bernardo in the second singles match, while Sebastian Santos kept UST in control with a 6-2, 6-3 win against Yassan Al-Anazi.
In doubles action, Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines overwhelmed La Salle’s Leyton Portin and Darwin Cosca, 6-2, 6-2. To complete the sweep, Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan battled past EJ Geluz and Enzo Enriquez in a thrilling 6-3, 6(4)-7(7), 10-8 finish.
With the win, the Male Tennisters extended their unbeaten streak to 5-0, solidifying their place at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, the Green Tennisters remained winless at 0-6.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the women’s division, UST asserted its dominance over University of the Philippines with a 4-1 triumph, securing sole possession of second place in the standings.
Although UP struck first with Jufe Cocoy’s commanding 7-5, 6-0 victory over Patricia Lim, UST quickly responded. Mica Emana overpowered UP’s Jonamil Prado, 6-2, 6-2, to level the tie.
Kaye Emana then showcased her resilience in a grueling three-set battle against Joshea Malazarte. After dropping the first set, she staged a determined comeback, clinching a 2-6, 6-4, 7(7)-6(4) victory.
The overall win was sealed in the second doubles match, where Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja outlasted UP’s Sydney Enriquez and Jesha Cervantes, 6-3, 7-5.
With the victory, UST improved to 3-1, while UP slipped to 2-2, settling into third place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Earlier in the men’s division, National University secured a hard-fought 4-1 win over University of the East, thanks to a clutch performance by Gab Bandoquillo and Aljon Talatayod. The duo clinched the tie in the first doubles match, defeating Jarell Edangga and Mark Dave Palanas, 6-2, 6-2.
Andrei Padao got NU off to a strong start with a 6-2, 6-2 win over UE’s Gerald Gemida in the first singles match. However, JB Aguilar rallied for the Red Warriors, battling through a first-set tiebreak before claiming a 7(7)-6(2), 6-2 victory against Jules Lazaro in the second singles match.
EJ Tugade then stepped up for the Bulldogs, overcoming UE’s Romeo Largo 6-3, 7-4 to regain the momentum. The final doubles match saw NU’s Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla endure a tense showdown, edging RJ Baje and Kent Morales in a dramatic 6-4, 7(7)-6(4), 11-9 thriller to seal the victory.
With the win, NU moved to 4-1, claiming solo second place ahead of UE and UP, both at 4-2.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons notched their second consecutive victory, dispatching the Ateneo Blue Eagles with a 4-1 win.
Aslan Carbonilla secured the tie with a dominant 6-3, 6-0 victory over JD Velez in the second singles match. Loucas Fernandez followed with a flawless performance in the third singles match, blanking Ateneo’s Rafa Mendoza, 6-0, 6-0.
Miguel Iglupas kept UP’s momentum rolling in the first singles match, dropping just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 win over Stef Gurria. The Fighting Maroons also controlled the doubles court, as Andrei Jarata and Ava Mandac powered past JB Cuarto and Aidyll Ignacio, 7-5, 6-2.
Ateneo managed to avoid a sweep thanks to JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue, who outlasted UP’s Lance Fernandez and Raymund Goco in a tight 6-4, 7(7)-6(2), 10-6 victory.
With the win, UP improved to 4-2, sharing the third and fourth spots with UE, while Ateneo slipped to 2-4 in fifth place.
The postponed ties between NU and UST in the men’s division, as well as NU and Ateneo in the women’s division, will be played on Wednesday.
