By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of Santo Tomas secured its second consecutive finals appearance after stunning erstwhile-unbeaten National University with a hard-fought 3-2 victory in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Tennis Tournament, Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.
Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja proved unstoppable in the second doubles match, dispatching Kolin Cornell and Jasmine Jaran, 6-1, 6-3, to send the Female Tennisters back to the championship round.
“It means a lot. Happy kami na for the second straight UAAP season, we’re back sa finals. Not only that, pero natalo namin ‘yung team to beat, the defending champion. So nasa isip din ng players na kung kakayanin, kaya,” said UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz.
“For the second time [in the finals]… parang feeling namin it all boils down to kung sino ang gustong manalo.”
Kaye Emana ensured the Female Tennisters got off to a strong start, defeating Elsie Abarquez, 6-2, 6-2, in the second singles match. Mica Emana added to UST’s tally with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 win over JM Carcueva in the third singles match.
Danna Abad kept the defending champions in the fight with a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Patricia Lim, while Adeline Abadia and Rovie Baulete’s 6-1, 6-3 win over Debbie Gom-os and Judy Padilla forced a decider.
With the victory, UST improved to a 6-1 record, securing the top spot in the standings as they await their finals opponent. Meanwhile, NU dropped to 5-1, for second place in this tournament supported by Wilson Philippines.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines kept its finals hopes alive with a crucial 4-1 victory over Ateneo de Manila University. The outcome was sealed in the second doubles match, where Jesha Cervantes and Joshea Malazarte cruised past Reizel Coco and Adriana Cabahug, 6-0, 6-1.
Jufe Cocoy provided an early spark for the Fighting Maroons, sweeping Chelsea Roque, 6-0, 6-0, in the second singles match to notch the first win. Glydel Guevarra doubled UP’s lead with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Audrey Ruiz in the first singles match.
Ateneo found a brief lifeline through Althea Martirez, who secured a 6-4, 6-0 win over Anica Cari in the third singles match. However, UP quickly snuffed out any momentum as Cheska Malaki and Debbie Prak overpowered Zaina Omar and Angela Buyante, 6-2, 6-0, in the first doubles match.
The Fighting Maroons’ win improved their record to 4-3, keeping them in third place and in the race for the finals. Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles remained winless, extending their losing streak to six and officially bowing out of Final Four contention.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the men’s division, University of the East secured its fourth consecutive Final Four berth with a 3-2 win over Ateneo, officially eliminating the Blue Eagles from playoff contention.
RJ Baje and Kent Morales delivered the match-clinching effort in the second doubles match, securing a 6-4, 6-2 victory over JB Cuarto and Aidyll Ignacio.
Earlier, JB Aguilar gave the Red Warriors a strong start, dismantling Rafa Mendoza, 6-0, 6-1, in the opening singles match. Ateneo’s JD Velez responded with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Marc Suson in the third singles match.
Stef Gurria then put the Blue Eagles ahead with a gritty 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over Gerald Gemida in the second singles match.
Needing a win to stay alive, Kiz Bryan Cinco and Mark Dave Palanas delivered for UE, grinding out a 6-2, 7-5 victory over JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue in the first doubles match, setting up the decisive second doubles win.
UE improved to a 6-3 record, tying UP for third and fourth place, while Ateneo dropped to 3-7 and missed out on the postseason. With the Blue Eagles’ elimination, the Fighting Maroons — who were on a bye — officially advanced to their first-ever Final Four appearance.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Final Four-bound UST tightened its grip on a twice-to-beat advantage with a dominant 5-0 sweep against Adamson University. Christopher Sonsona sealed the Male Tennisters’ victory with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Ramon Bentillo in the third singles match.
UST’s Ericjay Tangub set the tone early, cruising past Lander Butcon, 6-0, 6-2, in the opening singles match. Nilo Ledama kept the momentum rolling, overwhelming Miecoz Candelasa, 6-3, 6-0, in the second singles match.
With the tie already secured, Steven Sonsona and Brent Cortes edged out Angelo Rosales and Emmanuel Pedrosa in a thrilling 6(3)-7(7), 6-2, 10-8 victory in the first doubles match. Richard Bautista and Geo Serino capped off UST’s dominant showing with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Tristan Correos and Nikko Lumahang in the second doubles match.
The Male Tennisters improved to 8-1, while Adamson fell to 2-8, officially bowing out of Final Four contention.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In another men’s division matchup, National University kept De La Salle University winless with a 4-1 victory. Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla closed out the tie, defeating Leyton Portin and Fernando Po, 6-2, 6-3, in the first doubles match.
NU started strong as Andrei Padao dominated Yassan Al-Anazi, 6-2, 6-2, in the first singles match. EJ Tugade followed suit, taking down JT Bernardo, 6-3, 6-2, in the second singles match.
La Salle briefly shifted momentum as EJ Geluz delivered a 6-2, 6-2 win over Miguel Vicencio in the third singles match, keeping the Green Tennisters’ hopes alive.
However, NU had the final say, as Aljon Talatayod and Gab Bandoquillo breezed past Darwin Cosca and Steven Yap, 6-1, 6-2, in the second doubles match to close out the victory.
The Bulldogs improved to an 8-1 record, remaining tied with UST for the top spot. Meanwhile, the Green Tennisters continued their search for a first win after 10 ties.
