ANOTHER Tiger has opted to become a Bulldog.
Former UST rookie Kim Saraza has announced his decision to join the newly created tennis squad of the National University Bulldogs in the upcoming UAAP season. He admitted that he was following the lead of his mentor, ertswhile UST coach Karl Santamaria, who had apparenpart lured by NU’s highly aggressive sports recruitment strategy.
“They will give me a good training support because I want to improve my standing in the national men’s ranking,” said Saraza, who played a vital role in UST’s championship win over De La Salle University last season.
Currently ranked sixth in the Philippine men’s open, Saraza will join Santamaria, who earlier agreed to help build NU’s tennis program. Santamaria coached the UST tennis team for 10 years.
“It’s true that I’m transferring (to NU) because I’ll be following coach Santamaria,” said Saraza in Filipino. “He’s been my mentor since I entered UST.”
He also praised UST for the opportunity that was given to him during the first years of his collegiate career.
Ralph Kevin Barte, team captain of the Male Tennisters, Saraza’s departure was no surprise considering his close ties with Santamaria.
“When coach Karl left for NU, I already had a feeling that Kim would also leave the team,” he said in a phone interview.
“Now it will be very different that we’ll be battling against him,” he added. Rodolfo Serafin Jerome T. Lozada
