THE UST Male and Female Tennisters registered identical 3-2 wins over De La Salle University and the Ateneo de Manila University, respectively, in the UAAP Season 79 lawn tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila Saturday.
Dave Mosqueda made quick work of La Salle’s Kyle Parpan, 6-1, 6-4, before the Joel Cabusas-Bernlou Bering and En-En Lopez-Warren Lagahit tandems swept their matches to secure the victory for the Male Tennisters who improved to a 2-1 record.
UST’s Clarence Cabahug and Nico Lanzado both dropped their three-setters against LA Canizares and Betto Orendain, respectively.
Female Tennister Erika Manduriao breezed through Jana Pages, 6-4, 6-2, as teammates Shy Gitalan and Ingrid Gonzales followed suit with a 6-1, 6-0 rout of Ateneo’s Rocio Climent and Alexis McLean.
Precian Rivera then snatched a close 6-3, 7-5 win over Ateneo’s Nicole Amistad in the deciding match to wrap up the first round for the Female Tennisters who nabbed second place behind a 3-1 card.
“Before pa lang ng game, I told the players na Ateneo will not be easy to beat, buti na lang at nag-step up si Precian Rivera sa deciding match, and luckily, nanalo,” Lady Tennisters head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz told the Varsitarian.
Lady Eagle Khrizzle Sampaton dominated Kendies Malinis, 7-5, 6-3 before Jessica Agra and Jana Hernandez survived Lady Tennisters April Santos and Lenelyn Milo, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
The Male Tennisters will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles tomorrow, 8 a.m., at the same venue.
