THE UST Female Tennisters concluded the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women’s tennis tournament on a high note, beating UP Fighting Maroons, 4-1, on Sunday, March 9, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
UST secured sole possession of the second spot with a 3-1 record, while UP dropped to third with a 2-2 slate.
The Diliman-based squad took the lead first with Jufe Cocoy’s straight-set victory over Patricia Lim, 7-5, 6-0.
In the second singles match, the Female Tennisters tied it up after Mica Emana took out Fighting Maroon Jonamil Prado, 6-2, 6-2.
Kaye Emana then fought back from a one-set deficit to edge out Joshea Malazarte in a hard-fought three-set battle, 2-6, 6-4, 7(7)-6(4).
UST’s duo of Debbie Gom-Os and Judy Padilla defeated Gly Guevarra and Gia Cari, 6-3, 7-5, in the first doubles bout.
Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja paired up against UP’s duo of Sydney Enriquez and Jesha Cervantes to seal the win, 6-2, 7-5.
Moving to the men’s division, the three-peat-seeking UST Male Tennisters stayed flawless after overpowering the winless DLSU Green Tennisters, 5-0.
UST’s Nilo Ledama set the pace in the opening singles match with a 7-5, 6-3, victory over DLSU’s Ohye Tortal.
Ericjay Tangub followed it up with a commanding 6-1, 6-1, victory against Green Tennister JT Bernardo.
In the third singles duel, Male Tennister Sebastian Santos extended their lead, delivering a 6-2, 6-3, win against Yassan Al-Anazi.
The first doubles match completed UST’s sweep after Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines cruised past Leyton Portin and Darwin Cosa with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory.
UST’s pairing of Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan then had a three-set win over EJ Geluz and Enzo Enriquez, 6-3, 6(4)-7(7), 10-8, to put the finishing touches.
The Male Tennisters aim to complete a first-round sweep as they take on second-ranked NU Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 12, at the same venue.
Meanwhile, the schedule for the second round of the women’s division has yet to be announced. F
