BOTH THE UST Male and Female Tennisters stumbled to the NU Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs in their respective Game 1 bouts in the UAAP Season 87 tennis finals on Wednesday, April 9, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The three-peat-seeking Male Tennisters were edged out by the Bulldogs in a tightly contested showdown, 3-2.
Despite nursing an injury, reigning MVP Nilo Ledama powered through to outlast NU’s Aljon Talatayod in the second singles match, 6-2, 7(8)-6(6).
A couple of minutes later, NU’s Andre Padao responded with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Sebastian Santos in the first singles match to tie the game at 1-all.
UST briefly regained the lead after the duo of Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines outlasted Gab Bandoquillo and Jules Lazaro in a hard-fought first doubles match, 6-4, 7-5.
The Bulldogs answered back as NU’s EJ Tugade dispatched Ericjay Tangub in the third singles match, 6-3, 6-2, to force a decider.
In the crucial second doubles bout, unforced errors plagued UST’s Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan, allowing Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla to seal the win, 6-1, 6-1.
“While we were just too eager to beat them, our players were overconfident. They thought it would be easy… Things didn’t go our way,” UST assistant coach Arcilla told The Flame.
In the women’s division, the Female Tennisters absorbed a 3-1 defeat against the defending champions Lady Bulldogs.
Jasmine Jaran struck first for the Jhocson-based squad, defeating Patricia Lim in the second singles match, 6-3, 6-4.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Kaye Emana answered back for the España-based squad with a come-from-behind win against Dana Abad in the first singles match, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
However, that would be the only point the UST could muster. Mica Emana fell to Elsie Abarquez in the third singles match, 6-3, 6-1, to give NU a 2-1 edge.
Lady Bulldogs Rovie Baulete and Adie Abadia then delivered the finishing blow, dominating Judy Padilla and Princess Gom-os in the second doubles match, 6-2, 6-1.
“Their mindset as defending champions is a huge factor, they step onto the court with complete confidence,” UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz said.
The Male and Female Tennisters will aim to stay alive in the series on Saturday, April 12, at the same venue. F
