THERE is only one thing the UST Tiger Tennisters, the 2002 UAAP champions, have in the back of their minds this season: take back what’s theirs.
A year after losing the title to current overall championship race leader De La Salle University (DLSU), the España-based tennisters are again back on track as they swept the opening salvo of the 67th UAAP Lawn Tennis Tournament last Dec. 5 at the Yñarez Socio-Cultural Center Shell Court (Rizal Racket Club) in Pasig City.
Rout
Victory came in threes for the UST men’s team.
The rampage started with a victory by team captain and UAAP veteran Pius Ocampo over University of the East (UE) Red Warrior Emmanuel Nieva, 6-0, 6-0. Ocampo, a senior Biology student, took the match in a combination of soft and deadly incursions.
“Since this is my final season, I have to give all I’ve got,” he said.
In the doubles event, the veteran-rookie combination of Mclean Barraquias and Oswaldo Dumoran scored another sweep over the UE tandem of Lyndon Mantua and Jane Llira, 6-0, 6-0. Dumoran, an Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) freshman is one of head coach Karl Sta. Maria’s marquee recruits from the Visayas.
The third match was dominated by another rookie, Jordan Cimafranca, who trampled UE’s Teddy Danao Jr., 6-3, 6-0. Cimafranca, also an IPEA freshman and a native of Lanao, Mindanao, is another eyed revelation for the Pontifical University this season.
It is a bit surprising, especially for a city sport like tennis, that player recruitments reach beyond the borders of the Metropolis, but Sta. Maria has said province-based players have the potential and the necessary weapons in their arsenals to make them competitive athletes.
“I attempted to restructure the recruitment process, so I went south to Visayas and Mindanao to scout for marquee players,” Sta. Maria said. “It works in many ways, dahil itong mga ito gusto talagang makalaro sa University, that’s why I gave them the chance. And I am so thankful because I am blessed with these players, na talagang dedicated.”
It definitely worked for Sta. Maria, as his rookies became the key ingredients to a strong, heads-up start.
Lady Tennisters
On the distaff side, the women’s team also presented their version of a stroll in the park after winning all their three assignments.
Sensational rookie Arra Micayabas immediately made her presence felt by outclassing counterpart Denise Culaba of the University of the Philippines (UP), 6-1, 6-0. Micayabas, who is College of Commerce sophomore, is one of Sta. Maria’s torch-bearers in the Unigames last October in Baguio City, where UST clinched the overall tennis crown.
In the doubles event, team captain Katrina Lopez and veteran Ofelia Arrabe survived a see-saw battle against UP’s Cookie Ragasa and Kim Espiritu, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. To seal in the Tigers’ sweep of the opening day was a 6-4, 6-1 blowout by Melody Barraquias of Fighting Maroon Irene Serito.
December 5 was truly a blessing for Sta. Maria’s wards. But the young mentor said it is still early in the day to draw conclusions.
“Honestly speaking, we still need to patch a lot of things up,” Sta. Maria noted.
In a tournament or league, the best way to stay in title form is to start strong—it is a squad’s ticket to the promised land. Sta. Maria, arguably, has that ticket in his possession.
