STILL THE CHAMP. University of Santo Tomas retains its UAAP Season 86 men’s tennis title after a 3-1 win over Ateneo de Manila at Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Sunday (April 7, 2024). The Male Tennisters dropped the opening singles before sweeping the next three matches. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – National University bucked an erratic start to bag its third straight women's title while University of Santo Tomas retained the men's crown in the UAAP Season 86 tennis tournament at Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Sunday.
NU claimed the 3-2 victory after Elise Abarquez defeated UST’s Justine Maneja, 6-3, 6-0, in the third singles match.
"That loss in the first tie, I think we needed that para mapa-realize sa amin na kahit na-sweep namin 'yung eliminations, pwede pa rin kaming matalo. And na-overcome namin 'yun (That loss in the first tie, I think we needed that to make us realize that even though we swept the eliminations, we can still lose. And we overcame that) as a team," team captain Allyssa Mae Bornia said.
UST looked headed for an upset after Alexei Santos trounced JM Carcueva, 6-3, 6-2, in the opening singles, and Rookie of the Year Kaye Emana beat Angela Cabaral, 6-4, 6-2, to move a match away from the title.
Bornia then teamed up with Alliah Ragunton to beat Miles Vitaliano and Debbie Gom-os, 6-2, 6-4; and Danna Abad and Rovie Baulete scored a 6-0, 6-4 win over Minette Bentillo and Nicole Dela Rita as NU levelled at 2-all.
Bornia and Ragunton were named co-Most Valuable Players.
"Thankful kami sa mga senior na nag-step up talaga sila to lead the team. Mahihirapan kami kasi after this season. Tatlo silang mawawala (We are thankful to the seniors who really stepped up to lead the team. It will be difficult for us because after this season three of them will be gone). But we will regroup, we will recruit, and let's see what will happen next year," Lady Bulldogs coach Ronald Joven said.
UST captured the men's title over Ateneo de Manila University, 3-1.
Noy Seno demolished Christopher Sonsona, 6-1, 6-0, to put Ateneo ahead before UST swept the next three matches of the best-of-five tie.
Steven Sonsona and Nilo Ledama clobbered Nio Tria and Axl Gonzaga, 6-2, 6-1; Ericjay Tangub downed Austin delos Santos, 6-1, 6-4; and Richard Bautista-Nash Agustines dominated JJ Llavore-Stef Gurria, 6-4, 6-2.
"Pressured din kami kasi syempre ine-expect ng mga tao na ma-defend namin 'yung title. Pero maganda 'yung preparation namin, mahaba 'yung preparation namin (We were also under pressure because, of course people, expected us to defend the title. But our preparation was good, our preparation was long)," assistant coach and many-time national player Johnny Arcilla said.
Arcilla said coach Balong Diego will scout new players in the Cebu Palarong Pambansa in July.
Ateneo mentor Gee Abacan, who started coaching the Blue Eagles eight years ago with former national player Patrick John Tierro, was gracious in defeat.
"Hats off to UST. They are the best team in the UAAP," Abacan said. "I'm proud of each member of my team as they gave it all the entire school year and not just this UAAP season." (PNA)
