By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
University of Santo Tomas and National University maintained their perfect records in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Tennis Tournament, each securing dominant 4-1 victories over their respective opponents, Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.
UST overpowered Ateneo de Manila University, with Judy Padilla and Christine Gulagula sealing the victory for the Female Tennisters after dismantling Angela Buyante and Adriana Cabahug 6-1, 6-0 in the first doubles match.
Meanwhile, NU improved to 2-0, sharing the top spot with UST after a 4-1 victory over De La Salle University.
“Happy ako sa performance ng team sa first two games. Hopefully ma-maintain nila sa last few rounds ng tournament,” said UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz.
With a finals rematch against defending champion NU looming the next day in this tournament supported by Wilson, Sta. Cruz acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“Nasa isip pa rin nila up to now is… Siyempre manalo pa rin ang goal, talunin ang defending champion. They’re up to that challenge,” he added.
Season 86 Rookie of the Year Kaye Emana set the tone early for UST, blanking Chelsea Roque 6-0, 6-0 in the first singles match. Patricia Lim followed with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win over Zaina Omar, quickly putting UST in control.
Ateneo found a lifeline through Althea Martirez, who outplayed UST’s Mica Emana 6-1, 6-4 in the third singles match to keep the Blue Eagles in contention.
Justine Maneja and Kryshana Brazal then wrapped up the tie for UST, cruising past Reizel Coco and Audrey Ruiz 6-1, 6-1 in the second doubles match.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Jasmine Jaran and Juliana Carvajal delivered the clincher for the Lady Bulldogs, dominating Arthea Lu and Althea Lu 6-1, 6-1 in the second doubles match.
JM Carcueva made quick work of La Salle’s Precious Miranda, breezing to a 6-0, 6-1 victory in the third singles match.
The Lady Tennisters briefly halted NU’s momentum as Maikee Vicencio edged out Danna Abad, 6-3, 6-3, in the first singles match.
But NU regained control as Adeline Abadia and Rovie Baulete overpowered Amor Idjao and Arianne Nillasca 6-4, 6-0 in the first doubles match. Elsie Abarquez then completed the Lady Bulldogs’ triumph with a hard-fought comeback against Jam Madis, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the second singles match.
La Salle dropped to 1-2, holding onto fourth place while Ateneo remained winless at 0-3, sitting in fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the men’s division, Aidyll Ignacio and Gian Camingue kept their composure under pressure, grinding out back-to-back tiebreak wins to propel Ateneo past La Salle, 3-2.
Ignacio and Camingue’s clutch performance in the first doubles match proved decisive, as they edged out Green Tennisters Darwin Cosca and JT Bernardo in a tightly contested 7(7)-6(2), 7(7)-6(5) battle, securing the win for the Blue Eagles.
JD Velez and JJ Llavore gave Ateneo a strong start.
Velez took down Yassan Al-Anazi 6-3, 6-3 in the second singles match, while Llavore cruised past Rupert Tortal 6-3, 6-1 in the first singles match to put Ateneo up 2-0.
However, La Salle fought back.
EJ Geluz kept the Green Tennisters alive with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Stef Gurria in the third singles match. Leyton Portin and Marcus Guinoo then fueled the comeback by defeating JB Cuarto and Rafa Mendoza 6-3, 6-1 in the second doubles match, tying the score.
With the win, Ateneo improved to 2-1, sharing second to fourth place with NU and UE. La Salle remained winless at 0-4.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Later in the day, the University of the East edged out the University of the Philippines, 3-2.
RJ Baje and Kent Morales delivered the clinching point for UE, outlasting Raymund Goco and Lance Fernandez 7-5, 7(7)-6(5) in a heated second doubles match.
UE’s JB Aguilar secured the opening point, overcoming Miguel Iglupas 6-4, 6-4 in the first singles match. However, UP responded as Loucas Fernandez battled past Romeo Largo in a grueling three-setter, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, leveling the tie.
The Fighting Maroons appeared poised to take control when Heinz Carbonilla eked out a tense 6-4, 7(7)-6(3) victory against Marc Suson, putting UP just one step away from securing the win.
But UE refused to back down.
Jarrell Edangga and Mark Dave Palanas clawed their way back, rallying past Andrei Jarata and Ava Mandac, 3-6, 6-3, 12-10, in a thrilling first doubles match to force a deciding rubber.
With the win, UE improved to 2-1, while UP dropped to 2-2 in fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UST continued its dominance in the final men’s tie of the day, sweeping Adamson University 5-0 to remain at the top of the standings.
Christopher Sonsona displayed resilience in securing the decisive win, overcoming Miecoz Candelasa 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 in the third singles match.
Season 86 MVP Nilo Ledama set the tone for UST, crushing Neo Maratas 6-1, 6-0 in the first singles match. Ericjay Tangub widened UST’s lead with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Kyle Roble.
Nash Agustines and Brent Cortes sealed UST’s fourth point, defeating Nikko Lumahang and Tristan Correos 6-4, 6-4 in the first doubles match.
With victory already secured, Richard Bautista and Geo Serino capped off UST’s sweep, besting Ramon Bentillo and Angelo Rosales 7-5, 6-3 in the second doubles match.
Adamson fell to 1-3, slipping to sixth place.
