THE DEFENDING champions UST Male Tennisters continued their dominant run in the UAAP Season 87 tennis tournament after a commanding sweep against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 5-0, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Sunday, March 2.
UST improved to a 4-0 win-loss record, solidifying its spot at the top of the standings.
Male Tennister Sebastian Santos kicked off the first singles match with a clean 6-0, 6-0 victory over Blue Eagle Gab Quintana.
Ericjay Tangub contributed another singles victory by taking out Ateneo’s Stef Gurria, 6-2, 6-3.
Reigning MVP Nilo Ledama followed it up for UST with a decisive win over JD Velez, 6-2, 6-0 in the third singles bout.
Male Tennisters Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan outplayed JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
UST’s pairing of Nash Agustines and Richard Bautista secured the sweep with a hard-fought 6-2, 7-5, triumphed over Ateneo’s Aidyll Ignacio and JB Cuarto.
With the loss, the Blue Eagles dropped to fourth place with a 2-2 slate.
The España-based squad will try to keep its streak alive as they face the NU Bulldogs on March 8 at the same venue.
In the women’s play, the UST Female Tennisters suffered their first loss in the season, yielding to the NU Lady Bulldogs, 3-2.
Season 86 Rookie of the Year Kaye Emana opened strong for UST, beating NU’s Jasmin Jaran in the first singles bout via sweep, 6-2, 6-2.
In the second singles match, however, Female Tennister Nicole Dela Rita succumbed to Lady Bulldog JM Carcueva, 6-1, 6-2.
UST rookie Mica Emana then slipped against Danna Abad in a three-set third singles match, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
The duo of Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja fell short in another close match against NU’s pairing of Elsie Abarquez and Kolin Kornell, 6-4, 4-6, 10-7.
To close things out, Padilla and Debbie Gom-os delivered the other point for UST with a hard-fought win against Rovie Baulete and Adi Abadia, 7-5, 3-6, 10-10.
UST moved to a 2-1 record, while NU remained spotless at 3-0.
The Female Tennisters will look to bounce back against the UP Fighting Maroons on March 8, at the same venue. F – Francia Migyel Violeta
