THE UST Male Tennisters dominated the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 4-1, in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court on Wednesday, March 13.
With the win, UST improved to a 9-1 win-loss record to reclaim solo grip of the top seed in the standings with two games left to play in Round 2, while Ateneo dropped to an 8-2 record for a tie with the UE Red Warriors.
UST’s Ericjay Tangub made quick work of Austin de los Santos in the first singles match, 6-2, 6-1.
The duo of Nash Agustines and Richard Bautista then outclassed Blue Eagles Nio Tria and Axl Gonzaga, 6-2, 6-4.
Ateneo’s Noy Seno pulled off an upset, handing Nilo Ledama his first loss of the season, 6-1, 7-5.
Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan sealed the deal for UST in the second doubles match after a 6-3, 7-6 thrashing of Ateneo’s tandem of JJ Llavone and Stef Gurria before Sebastian Santos delivered the finishing touches in the last singles match via a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Blue Eagle JD Velez.
“Ito ‘yong teamwork. Dito mo makikita ‘yong team na nagtutulungan like si Nilo (Ledama), ngayon lang siya natalo. At least nagstep-up ‘yong iba,” UST head coach Alexander Diego told the Varsitarian. ‘Malaking tulong ‘yon sa team para ma-boost ‘yong confidence nila.”
“Sobrang importance itong game na ‘to at least medyo lumamang tayo (sa standings) kasi kailangan safe ‘yong Top 1 and 2 spots e,” he added.
UST will next face the NU Bulldogs at the same venue on Saturday, March 16, at 2:30 p.m.
