THE UST Male and Lady Tennisters yielded contrasting results Wednesday in the UAAP Season 79 lawn tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Male Tennisters thrashed the University of the Philippines, 4-1, while the Female Tennisters suffered a 2-3 loss against the National University.
Only Dave Mosqueda dropped a match from UST’s side as the Male Tennisters (5-2) won their succeeding assignments to strengthen their hold of second place.
Christian Lopez and Nico Lanzado scored consecutive sweeps before the pair of Joel Cabusas and Bernlou Bering clinched the victory for UST with a 7-6, 6-2 win over Maroons Vincent Alanis and Kyle Joseph.
Clarence Cabahug and Warren Lagahit trounced UP’s Mimo Tomacruz and Elijah Arevalo, 6-3, 6-7, 6-1.
“We worked hard since August so the players know how hard the game is and to not give up every point easily,” Male Tennisters head coach Alexander Diego told the Varsitarian. “The players played their best and their skills really helped us build confidence in every point.”
In women’s play, the Lady Tennisters looked good following wins from Erika Manduriao and the duo of Precian Rivera and April Santos.
But UST’s tandem of Eb-eb Caorte and Shymae Gitalan blew a potential upset of defending champions NU. The pair crumbled down the stretch after Gitalan injured her right ankle in the third set, 2-6, 7-6, 2-6.
NU sisters Clarice and Christine Patrimonio smothered UST’s Ingrid Gonzales and Kendies Malinis, respectively.
Despite the loss, the Lady Tennisters have a firm hold of second place behind a 5-2 record with both defeats coming from the Lady Bulldogs.
Both teams will face the Ateneo de Manila University on March 11, Saturday, at the same venue.
