THE UST Male Tennisters squeaked past the University of the East Red Warriors, 3-2, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s lawn tennis tournament at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Saturday.
Tied at two matches apiece, UST team captain Christian Lopez defeated UE’s Ryle Singson, 6-4, 7-5, to come away with the win.
“Sobrang crucial noong match ni Lopez. Madiskarte kasi siya kaya maganda ‘yong mga naging decision-making niya sa deciding match. Kahit dikit na, lumalaban sila lahat,” Male Tennisters head coach Alexander Diego told the Varsitarian.
UST’s Francis Lanzado lost to Red Warrior RJ Saga, 4-6, 4-6, in the opening singles match, before Male Tennister Dave Mosqueda dominated Harry Karon, 6-1, 6-4.
The pair of Beralou Bering and Ken Paradela added another win for UST after outlasting UE’s Mark Marquez and Renz Javier, 6-3, 6-3.
The Male Tennisters rose to a 6-4 win-loss record for third place in the standings.
In women’s play, the Female Tennisters continued to slid, this time against the National University Lady Bulldogs, 1-4.
Lady Bulldog Jzash Canja registered a 6-2, 6-3 victory over UST’s Mery Rose San Jose to close the day.
Female Tennisters Shu Gitalan and Ingrid Gonzales fell to NU’s Alyssa Bornia and Alliah Ragunton, 4-6, 2-6, while UST’s Imma Gervacio suffered a 1-6, 0-6 defeat against Lady Bulldog Clarice Patrimonio.
UST’s lone win of the day came in singles division as Erika Manduriao dominated Anne Tumanda, 6-2, 6-3.
The Female Tennisters dropped to a 2-4 win-loss record.
“Kahit ganito ‘yong results masasabi ko na dikit ‘yong fights. Kinulang lang sa pag-deliver. Nakadagdag na rin ‘yong pressure na last games na ‘to and there are no room for errors,” UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz said.
The Female Tennisters will try to recover against the De La Salle University while the Male Tennisters will face the Adamson University on March 24, Sunday, at the same venue.
