Entering the courts with yesterday’s defeat behind them, the UST Golden Tennisters were out to deliver UP’s first defeat as they took to the courts with gusto. While initially putting up a great defense against UST’s assault, the UP tennisters tasted the dirt for the first time, ultimately falling in a close 2-3 tie in favor of UST.
Poised to defend their win streak was UP’s first singles combatant Joshua Miranda who successfully held his ground against UST’s Bernanlou Bering in a one-sided 6-1, 6-2 match. His defense was soon followed by Angelo Esguerra who also won over his UST counterpart Joel Librodo, in yet another one-sided match that ended 6-3, 6-0. Their efforts however, were the only resistance they put up against a UST squad that eventually defeated their remaining players in a similar manner. Francis Lanzado defeated Mikko Ringia 6-1, 6-3 in favor of UST.
The doubles category also did not bring good luck for UP as the duo of Franklin Encarnacion and Gboy Mariano fell against Bernlo Bering and Joel Cabusas in a three-set match (6-2, 4-6, 6-3). The duo of Miguel Belda and Enrique Ferrer also suffered the same fate against UST’s Francisco Patiño and Al Francis Potutan, losing in a three-set match that ended 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
The loss suffered by UP solidifies the position of NU as the first team in the standings for now as they are the only team to remain undefeated. The loss of the state university also places it in a somewhat similar position as UST who also sports a 3-1 win-loss ratio.
