THE UST Female Tennisters secured the last finals spot after drubbing the UP Fighting Maroons, 4-1, in their playoff match in the UAAP Season 86 women’s tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court on Saturday, March 23.
UST will take on the defending champions NU Lady Tennisters, who went undefeated this season, in a best-of-three finals series which will begin on April 3. UP settled for bronze.
“Nag-huddle kami last night,” UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz told the Varsitarian. “Pinag-usapan namin ‘yung mga mistakes noong last two games. In a way, bumalik ‘yung winning ways, kita naman sa nilaro nila today. Sana sa championship tapangan pa ng players.
UST standout rookie Kaye Emana set the tone for Female Tennisters after a 6-0, 6-3 thrashing of UP’s Jufe Cocoy.
Alex Santos sent UP to the brink of elimination after overpowering Fighting Maroon Renee Esteban, 6-0, 6-3.
UST’s duo of Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja virtually sealed the win after a dominant 6-2, 6-0 win against Fighting Maroons Anica Cari and Jonamil Prado.
Female Tennisters Debbie Gom-os and Miles Vitaliano also outplayed UP’s tandem of Joshea Malazarte and Jesha Cervantes, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, while Fighting Maroon Rachel Velez delivered the lone win after toppling UST’s Patricia Lim, 6-2, 7-5.
