THE UST Male Tennisters crashed out of finals contention after surrendering to the Ateneo de Manila University, 2-3, while defending champion Female Tennisters dropped to fifth place as the UAAP Season 81 lawn tennis tournament came to a close last April 6.
The Male Tennisters ended their campaign at third place with an 8-5 win-loss record. They finished fourth last year.
The National University took home the championship this year, while Ateneo settled for silver.
With the game tied at two matches each, Male Tennister Jaffary Cariga succumbed to Blue Eagle Iyo Canlas, 1-6, 4-6, in the last match.
UST evened the game as the duo of Clarence Cabahug and Chrisitian Lopez scored a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win against Ateneo’s Bong Gonzales and Julian Dayrit.
“Kahit hindi namin nakuha (‘yong win), mas okay kami sa results kasi mas dikit (‘yong laban) and nag-improve kami sa rankings. Hopefully, next year makabalik kami sa finals kasi ‘yon naman talaga ang goal namin,” Male Tennisters head coach Alexander Diego told the Varsitarian.
After back-to-back losses in the first two matches, Male Tennisters Francis Lanzado and Bernlou Bering kept UST at bay after nipping Blue Eagles Luke Flores and Erj Gatdula, 6-1, 6-4.
Dethroned
In women’s play, Ateneo dumped defending champion Female Tennisters, 4-1, to settle for fifth place.
Female Tennisters Ingrid Gonzales and Shu Gitalan gave UST its lone win of the day after defeating Ateneo’s Camille So and Martina Bautista, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, before Lady Eagle Shaira Rivera mauled Immaville Gervacio, 6-2, 6-0.
The Ateneo tandem of Jana Hernandez and Janelle Llavore secured the win after outlasting UST’s Ivana Caballero and Meann San Jose, 6-1, 7-6.
The women’s team ended the season with a 2-6 win-loss record.
“Siguro naramdaman nila ‘yong pagkawala ng senior players. We were up 1-0 sa first round but after ng second game, which is a heartbreaking loss to Ateneo, from there, parang hindi na naka-recover.” Female Tennisters head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz said.
UST will miss the services of Bering, Lanzado, Warren Lagahit, Joel Librodo and Andre Santos in the men’s team and Gonzales, Gitalan, Caballero and Precian Rivera in the women’s team after exhausting their playing years. faith yuen wei n. ragasa
