THE CHAMPIONSHIP will have to wait for another season for the UST Tennisters.
The España-based Tennisters were back to a familiar territory, but fell short against National University (NU) and De La Salle University in their respective UAAP lawn tennis finals matches at the Rizal Tennis Hall last Feb. 24 and 28.
Last year’s titlists Female Tennisters yielded to their long-time nemesis La Salle, 0-2, in their best-of-three championship series.
The Male Tennisters also suffered the same fate at the hands of the Bulldogs, who had a perfect 11-0 season record en route their first-ever title under former UST head coach Karl Santamaria.
In the deciding match of Game 2, rookie Lenelyn Milo of the Female Tennisters bowed down to La Salle’s Martina Guba, 5-7, 0-6, allowing the Lady Archers to reclaim the title that they lost last season.
“Sobrang nakakapanghinayang ‘yun. May chance sana kaso sa second set, nawala siya (Milo) sa focus,” coach Dennis Sta. Cruz said.
UST registered double victories in two doubles’ matches courtesy of Dianne Bautista and Jhie Helar, 6-1, 6-2, and Zaza Paulino and Season 74 Rookie of the Year April Santos, 6-3, 6-2.
The Male Tennisters finished their campaign with eight wins and three losses, all coming from NU, to settle for a runner-up finish. Last season’s champion La Salle was relegated to third spot.
In the first doubles’ match, Randy Delavin and Bernardine Bering came out strong for UST before NU’s Dheo Talatayod and Al Michael Madrio found their groove to secure the win, 7-5, 3-6, 5-7.
With the Bulldogs ahead 2-1, the Tiger duo of Francis Patiño and Ryan Montalbo suffered a late-game meltdown in the second doubles’ allowing NU to walk away with the win, 3-6, 6-4, 2-6.
Outgoing team captain Ralph Kevin Barte racked up the lone win for UST in the first singles’ contest after whipping Al Khady Jainul, 6-0, 6-1. UST’s Joel Cabusas was declared the season’s best rookie.
“Player-wise equal kami sa NU, nagkulang lang talaga sa firepower at intensity,” sophomore coach Gabby Remigio said. “Siguro kailangan ko next season ay recruitment, at least two to three quality players.”
