Male Tennisters lead race

DETERMINED to book a championship ticket this time around, the UST Male Tennisters essayed back-to back wins in the ongoing Season 72 lawn tennis tournament to stay on top with a 5-0 win-loss slate.

UST swept the luckless University of the Philippines (UP) for its second straight victory last January 10 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court.

UST’s Miguel Narvaez emerged victorious over James Pang after a three-hour battle that ended at 7-6, 5-7, 6-4. In the doubles match, the black-gold-white tandem of Ryan Montalbo and Gerard Pinili subdued Dennis Vitaliano and Julian Mendoza with a 6-3, 6-2 win.

Season 70 Rookie of the Year Raymond Villarete contributed to UST’s cause with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Justine Echague in the second singles clash.

Team captain Keane Barraquias and Bernardine Bering defeated the Diliman duo of JR Dimayuga and Leandro Fernandez, 6-7, 7-6, 6-0. Finally, rookie Arn Procianos sealed the deal for UST with a 6-3, 6-3 stunner against UP’s Austin Chan.

The Espana-based crew also delivered a smashing 5-0 performance in the curtain-raiser against University of the East last January 9.

Back in their game

On the distaff side, defending champions UST Lady Tennisters bounced back from a first-game misfortune to bulldoze Ateneo de Manila University, 5-0, last January 16 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court.

“Their last game was a wake-up call. They gave their heart in this game,” coach Dennis Sta. Cruz said in Filipino.

Lady Tennister Len Santos pounded Loyola-based Makki San Andres in the first singles match despite a last-minute Ateneo run, 6-0, 4-6.

The Thomasian pair of Cristina Santos and Kat Castro followed-up with a convincing victory against Isa Ong and Tin Baldonado, 6-0, 6-1 in the first doubles match. This was complemented by Most Valuable Player Nikki Manalo’s drubbing of Ateneo’s Michelle Pang in a similar 6-0, 6-1 fashion.

Not to be outdone, UST’s Jhiji Heller and Jaycy Ortellano dominated Cookie Enriquez and Ivy De Castro, 6-1, 6-1, in the second doubles match.

The wounded Eagles managed to answer UST’s ferocity in the final game, when Hazel Grecia yielded the first set to Ateneo’s Mary Rivero, 0-6. Grecia, however, redeemed herself and finished the second set at 6-3, 6-7. Prior to their conquest of Ateneo, the defending champions lost their opening match against UP, 2-3, last January 9.