THE UST Tennisters posted identical 4-1 victories over the De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 79 lawn tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Sunday.
After UST’s Dave Mosqueda dropped a 6-1, 6-2 decision against La Salle’s Kyle Parpan in the first match of the day, the Male Tennisters won the rest of their games to bolster their hold of the second spot with a 4-2 card.
Male Tennisters Christian Lopez and Nico Lonzado both took back-to-back sweeps over Betto Orendain and LA Cazinares, respectively.
The pair of Joel Cabusas and Bernlou Bering and the duo of Clarence Cabahug and Warren Lagahit closed the day with rousing wins.
“’Yung players [natin] maganda ang nilaro, nilabas ang prinactice and nagperform sila nang maganda,” Male Tennisters head coach Alexander Diego said.
“Malaking tulong ‘yung panalo namin na ito kasi dikitan ng ranking. Every point counts.”
In women’s play, UST’s Erika Manduriao made quick work of Alexis Borela, 6-1, 6-1, while teammate Kendies Malinis kept Lady Maroon Dane Carranza winless in a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing.
The Lady Tennisters duo of Ingrid Santos and Shy Gitalan dominated Monica Cortez and Denise Jimenez, 6-3, 6-1, as Lennelyn Milo and April Santos downed UP’s Dana Uy and Monivic Santos, 6-4, 7-5.
Nicole Eugenio bounced back from her first round loss against UST’s Precian Rivera, 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, for UP’s lone win of the day.
The Lady Tennisters solidified their grip of second place with a 5-1 record.
The Male Tennisters will face the University of the Philippines while the Lady Tennisters will exact revenge against defending champions National University on March 8, Wednesday, at the same venue.
