THE UST Female Tennisters ended their five-year title drought after besting the Ateneo de Manila University in the finals, while the injury-plagued Male Tennisters dropped to fourth place as the UAAP Season 80 lawn tennis tournament came to a close last March 17.
UST became the winningest team in the women’s division after notching its seventh championship. Ateneo and De La Salle University notched second and third places, respectively.
With National University unable to field a team this year, the Female Tennisters dominated the tournament en route an unblemished seven victories, including six in the eliminations.
Victory did not come easy for UST as it went neck-and-neck against Ateneo for almost seven hours in the finals.
The tandem of Eb-eb Caorte and Danica Bautista delivered the victory for the Female Tennisters after sinking Ateneo’s Jana Pages and Carmen So, 6-3, 6-3.
UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz lauded the squad’s performance despite heat and exhaustion taking over the players.
“We started early hanggang umabot ng hapon. They had this mindset na we can’t expect our opponents na ibigay na lang ang laro. [Tumatak] sa kanila na if they want to win, then we need to stay focused and work our best sa sitwasyon,” Sta. Cruz said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
Team captain Caorte said it was a bittersweet celebration, knowing her journey with UST has ended.
“Last year ko na makakasama sila pero ‘yun nga I’m grateful. Apat na taon na kaming runner-up lagi [so] this is a dream come true for us to have this championship,” Caorte said.
Caorte added it was the team’s “go home or win” mentality that cemented their flawless record throughout the competition.
After losing team captain Eb-eb Caorte, co-captain Kendies Malinis and veteran player Danica Bautista due to graduation, the Female Tennisters will try to defend the title with key players from the UST senior high school and recruits from Mindanao.
“Intact pa rin ang team natin. We are just very happy right now and it was a rewarding feeling for all the players, they were very eager about this,” Sta. Cruz said.
UST’s Erika Manduriao was hailed the Most Valuable Player this season.
Out of the podium
The Male Tennisters crumbled to fourth place this year, far fromlast season’s runner-up finish.
University of the East Red Warriors took home the UAAP title for the second-straight year. Ateneo and La Salle copped second and third places.
The Male Tennisters opened the season with two-straight wins, but suffered five consecutive defeats in the ensuing games. UST ended the season with a 3-5 win-loss record.
Key player Warren Lagahit endured a right lateral collateral ligament sprain while competing in the doubles category against the University of the East last Feb. 10. He was sidelined for the rest of the season.
“I’m not happy with our performance knowing we had a finals appearance last [year]. We did not make it on top because of the injuries and lack of discipline but we will come back stronger next season,” Male Tennisters head coach Alexander Diego told the Varsitarian.
The Male Tennisters remained the winningest team in the men’s division with 14 titles. They last won the championship in 2011.
