By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Defending champion University of Santo Tomas and National University secured their spots in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Tennis Final Four after defeating their respective opponents, Wednesday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.
The Male Tennisters leaned on Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan in a pivotal second doubles match, where the duo delivered a commanding 7(7)-6(2), 6-2 victory over Andrei Jarata and Ava Mandac to clinch a 4-1 win against University of the Philippines.
“‘Di pa rin dapat kami luluwang. Ganun pa rin ‘yung routine namin araw-araw, training tapos kailangan alagaan namin ‘yung fitness nila kasi dun talaga nagkakatalo. Pag tumagal ‘yung laro namin, ‘yung iba kasi nagka-cramps na so talagang importante ‘yung meron kaming therapist na nag-aayos sa fitness namin,” said UST assistant coach Johnny Arcilla.
“May tiwala kami sa players namin kasi mga beterano na sila eh. Meron kaming MVP, rookie-MVP, so ‘yung mindset namin, focus lang talaga muna,” he added.
Ericjay Tangub delivered a gritty performance in a back-and-forth second singles match, overcoming UP’s Miguel Iglupas with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory to get UST rolling.
Nilo Ledama added to UST’s strong start with a hard-fought 6(1)-7(7), 6-3, 6-3 win over Lance Fernandez in the first singles match, putting the Male Tennisters up 2-0.
Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines then sealed UST’s victory with a composed performance in the first doubles match, outlasting Loucas Fernandez and Raymund Goco in a tight opening set before cruising to a 7(7)-6(3), 6-2 win.
UP’s Aslan Carbonilla ensured the Fighting Maroons avoided a sweep, pulling off a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Sebastian Santos in the third singles match.
The Male Tennisters improved to 7-1, tying the Bulldogs at the top of the standings, while the Fighting Maroons slipped to 6-3, holding onto third place in the tournament supported by Wilson Philippines.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, NU handed Ateneo de Manila University a tough blow, pushing the Blue Eagles to the brink of elimination with a dominant 5-0 sweep. EJ Tugade highlighted NU’s win with a resilient 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Stef Gurria in the second singles match.
“Ganun din naman yung last year na nangyari sa amin na pumasok doon sa Final Four, ganoon pa rin na ‘di kailangan na porket nakapasok na, magre-relax kaya thankful kasi nanalo kami,” said NU head coach Ronard Joven.
“Sa team namin, kailangan talaga wala mag-relax. Kailangan all out pa rin kasi ‘yun naman ‘yung hinahabol na spot, pang number one o two na spot. So kailangan pa rin talaga nila ‘yung focus tapos kailangan gapang pa rin sa laro kasi mahirap kasi [na] kahit nasa Final Four na, hindi masabi kung anong mangyari.”
Andrei Padao set the tone for the Bulldogs with a dominant 6-0, 6-3 win over Blue Eagle JD Velez in the first singles match. Jules Lazaro maintained NU’s momentum with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win against Gab Quintana in the third singles match.
In doubles action, NU’s Christian Padilla and Angil Balaoing powered through JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue, 6-3, 6-2. Gab Bandoquillo and Aljon Talatayod completed the sweep with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 win over JB Cuarto and Aidyll Ignacio in the second doubles match.
The Bulldogs improved to 7-1, while the Blue Eagles dropped to 3-6, remaining in fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In other action, Adamson University claimed its second win of the season with a 3-2 triumph over De La Salle University. Herald Aton and Emmanuel Pedrosa came through in the first doubles match, defeating Leyton Portin and JT Bernardo, 4-6, 6-3, 10-3.
EJ Geluz gave the Green Tennisters an early boost by outlasting Soaring Falcon Angelo Rosales in a 6(1)-7(7), 6-2, 3-0 (ret.) win in the first singles match. Adamson responded with Ramon Bentillo overcoming a first-set setback to take down Ohye Tortal, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3, and level the tie.
Miecoz Candelasa then put Adamson in front with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Yassan Al-Anazi in the third singles match. The Green Tennisters secured the second doubles victory as Keno Enriquez and Marcus Guinoo edged out Tristan Correos and Nikko Lumahang, 4-6, 6-3, 10-4.
Adamson moved to 2-7, remaining in sixth place, while La Salle’s losing streak extended to nine ties, officially eliminating them from Final Four contention.
