THE UST Male Tennisters’ path to the finals got even more arduous after a 2-3 heartbreaker against the University of the East Red Warriors at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday.
Leading Rookie of the Year candidate AJ Lim annihilated UST’s Nico Lanzado in the opener while Male Tennister Francis Suazo dropped his match against UE’s Josshua Kinaadman.
The tandem of RJ Saga and Rogelio Estano sealed the win for the Red Warriors with a hard-fought victory over Clarence Cabahug and En-En Lopez, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.
Dave Mosqueda gave UST its first win with a 6-4, 6-0 sweep of Dolfo Barquin while the Male Tennister pair of JC Cabusas and Bernlou Bering pulled off a a 0-6, 6-3, 7-6 squeaker in the final match of the day.
“Alam naman [ng team] kung gaano ka-importante ang bawat game sa amin, kaya magdo-doble effort pa kami para makuha ang finals na tinatarget naming matagal na,” UST coach Alexander Diego told the Varsitarian.
A loss by the National University Bulldogs (4-4) against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (3-6) today will send UST (6-3) to the finals.
Should the Bulldogs defeat the Blue Eagles, the Male Tennisters will have to win their final matchup against NU on Wednesday to secure a finals clash against UE. UST trounced the Bulldogs in the first round.
UST will face NU on March 15, Wednesday, 8:00 a.m., at the same venue.
