By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — University of Santo Tomas pulled off a thrilling reverse sweep over defending champion National University, 3-2, to secure its return to the Finals in a do-or-die Final Four clash on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, the Male Tennisters bounced back from a 3-0 setback on Saturday, winning the remaining matches when it mattered most to oust the Bulldogs and clinch a Finals berth.
The España-based squad now sets its sights on a 17th men’s crown in the Wilson Philippines-backed tournament.
Standing in their way is top seed University of the Philippines, which is aiming to end a 26-year championship drought.
The Fighting Maroons last won in Season 62 (2000), completing a historic three-peat.
The best-of-three title series opens on Wednesday at the same Bulacan venue.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST drew first blood in the eliminations, handing UP its only loss so far with a 4-1 result, before the Fighting Maroons returned the favor with a matching 4-1 victory in the second round.
Al Zayeed Baid and Steven Sonsona battled their way to a 7-5, 6-3 win in the second doubles match, outlasting Angil Balaoing and Isaac Lim to power UST into its fourth consecutive Finals appearance.
“Napakasaya po kasi hindi po balewala ‘yung laban namin. Sobrang hirap po ng pinagdaanan namin, pero sobrang thankful po kami ngayon kasi nakabalik po kami sa Finals,” said Baid.
“Grabe po ‘yung pressure namin, pero sa tulong ng mga coaches namin, napapakalma nila kami and then binigay na lang namin ‘yung best namin. Puso lang,” he added.
The Bulldogs started strong, with Alexis Acabo setting the tone early after dispatching Evan Bacalso, 6-4, 6-0, in third singles.
Andrei Padao backed it up with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Ericjay Tangub in first singles, turning a 2-4 deficit in the second set into a four-game run that put NU on the verge of clinching the tie.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
However, UST refused to back down.
Christopher Sonsona kept his side in contention with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Jules Lazaro in second singles.
Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines then swung the momentum back to the Male Tennisters with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Christian Padilla and Miguel Vicencio in first doubles, forcing a winner-take-all doubles decider.
The Bulldogs concluded their campaign with a bronze-medal finish.
