THE UST Male and Female Tennisters endured 3-2 losses at the hands of the NU Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court on Saturday, March 16.
Despite the loss, the Male Tennisters remained atop the men’s standings with a 9-2 record. The Female Tennisters, on the other hand, dropped to a 5-2 record.
UST’s duo of Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan succumbed to Bulldogs Ibarra Ortega and Angil Balaoing, 7-6, 6-4 in the men’s decider.
In the first singles match, Nilo Ledama bounced back from his previous loss and toppled NU’s Jules Lazaro, 6-2, 6-3.
However, NU’s tandem of Allen Manlangit and Gab Bandoquillo completed a 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 come-from-behind win against Male Tennisters Nash Agustines and Richard Bautista,
Ericjay Tangub made quick work of NU’s Benedict Santiago, 6-3 6-2, to give UST a 2-1 lead, but Bulldog EJ Tugade forced the decider after a 6-4, 6-0 thrashing UST’s Sebastian Santos.
“Nasa kundisyon ‘yong NU, ang ganda ng nilaro nila,” UST assistant coach Johnny Arcilla told the Varsitarian. “So bukas, sabi ko sa kanila, No. 1 tayo pero kailangan i-maintain ‘yong kumpiyansa kasi ‘pag natalo, bumababa ‘yong kumpiyansa nila.”
In women’s play, Patricia Lim endured a 6-1, 6-3 mauling from NU’s Elsie Abarquez in the first singles match.
UST’s tandem of Princess Gom-os and Miles Vitalliano fell short in a tight duel against Bulldogs Angela Cabaral and Rovie Baulete, 7-6, 5-7, 7-5.
Kaye Emana delivered UST’s first win after a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 triumph over NU’s Danna Abad in the second singles match.
NU already sealed the deal in the fourth match after Lady Bulldogs Alliah Ragunton and Mai Bornia stunned UST’s duo of Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Alex Santos remained unscathed after 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 escape of NU’s JM Carcueva.
With the win, NU, the women’s tennis defending champion, punched another finals berth after improving to a 7-0 record.
“Siyempre defending champion, ‘yon ang lumaban para sa NU,” Dennis Sta. Cruz, the UST Female Tennisters head coach, told the Varsitarian. “Sa sobrang dikit ng laban, I will say more experienced team ‘yong kabila. Lumaban naman ‘yong mga players kaya lang hindi natapos ‘yong dapat tapusin,”
The semifinals-bound Male Tennisters will conclude the elimination round against the DLSU Green Tennisters, while the Female Tennisters will vie for the last finals spot as they face the 5-2 UP Fighting Maroons tomorrow, March 17, at the same venue. with reports from Albert Earl Gomez
