By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Reigning titlist University of Santo Tomas secured its third consecutive finals berth, while University of the Philippines kept its championship hopes alive by forcing a deciding match in their semifinal series against National University in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Tennis Final Four, Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.
With the twice-to-beat advantage, the Male Tennisters needed just one win to eliminate the University of the East Red Warriors, claiming a 4–1 victory and staying on course for a third straight men’s title in this tournament, which is also supported by Wilson Philippines.
“We’re happy kasi bumalik ulit kami sa finals. ‘Yung kay Nilo [Ledama] [umabot ng] third set so at least nakuha namin. And then ‘yung first doubles, we’re happy kasi nakuha rin namin,” said UST head coach Alexander Diego.
“Kilala rin naman namin ‘yung players nila [UP and NU], so titingnan namin kung sino ‘yung makakalaban namin diyan and then… We will check the lineup. And then usually ‘yung sa conditioning nila so ime-maintain pa rin namin,” he added, with UST’s opponent in the title match still to be determined.
Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines led the Male Tennisters to the championship round, dominating Red Warriors Mark Dave Palanas and RJ Baje in the first doubles match, 6-0, 6-2.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ericjay Tangub set the tone early, dispatching UE’s Gerald Gemida in the third singles match, 6-1, 6-4, to give UST its first point.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
JB Aguilar, however, battled back for UE, securing a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Sebastian Santos in the first singles match to claim UE’s first point.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST doubled its lead when reigning MVP Nilo Ledama held firm to defeat Marc Nicole Suson, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, in the second singles match.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan sealed UST’s win as they took the second doubles match after Kent Morales and Kiz Bryan Cinco retired with the score at 6-1, 0-2.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UP extended its semifinal series against the twice-to-beat NU to a decider after a thrilling 3-2 victory.
“Very happy, overwhelmed if I may say. We fought to live another day. ‘Yun masasabi ko sa laro ngayon. We were, I think, down after losing [the] first singles. We were down 1-2 and then down both sets sa dalawang doubles, and we still found a way to win, so I’m very happy with that performance,” said UP coach Jacob Lagman.
In a crucial second doubles match, Andrei Jarata and Karl Miguel stepped up for the Fighting Maroons, pulling off a 6(3)-7(7), 6-1, 10-4 victory over Aljon Talatayod and Gab Bandoquillo.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Miguel Iglupas gave UP its first point, defeating NU’s Jules Lazaro in the first singles match, 6-4, 6-2.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Andrei Padao and EJ Tugade, however, responded with strong singles performances for NU.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Padao outlasted UP’s Loucas Fernandez in the third singles match, 6-0, 6-2, before Tugade took control of his match against Aslan Carbonilla, 6-4, 7(7)-6(3).
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The tie was leveled at two apiece after Fighting Maroons Raymund Goco and Lance Fernandez triumphed over Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla in the first doubles match, 2-6, 6-3, 10-8, forcing the decider.
The do-or-die match between UP and NU is scheduled for Sunday, April 6, at 7 a.m. at the same venue.
