WINNER. University of Santo Tomas player EJ Tangub makes a forehand return to Ateneo's Austin delos Santos during the UAAP Season 86 men's tennis tournament at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on March 13, 2024. Tagub won, 6-2, 6-1. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – University of Santo Tomas drubbed Ateneo de Manila University, 4-1, on Wednesday, moving closer to a twice-to-beat semifinal incentive in the UAAP Season 86 men's tennis tournament at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The Tigers remained on top of the standings at 9-1 followed by the Blue Eagles at 8-2.
"We did not expect to lose the second singles. Ateneo has good players so we need to be always prepared," said UST coach Johnny Arcilla, a 10-time singles champion in the prestigious Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open.
UST raced to a 2-0 lead after EJ Tangub won the first singles over Austin delos Santos, 6-2, 6-1, while Nash Agustines and Richard Bautista downed Nio Tria and Axl Gonzaga, 6-2, 6-4, in the first doubles match.
The Blue Eagles made it 1-2 following Noy Seno's 6-1, 7-5 triumph over Rookie/MVP Nilo Ledama in the second singles match.
But the Tigers regained their form, with Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan, prevailing over JJ Llavore and Stef Gurria, 6-3, 7(4)-6, and Seb Santos, scoring a 6-2, 6-4 win over rookie JD Velez, to wrap up the best-of-five tie.
"UST is just a really tough team to beat as all players are high level," Ateneo coach Gee Abacan said.
"All of their entries are tough. We need to play really well to beat one of them, just like the way Noy beat Nilo Ledama, who was the best player in the UAAP last year. If there are chances, especially break points, we must take them immediately and capitalize. Otherwise, one will have a hard time beating UST's caliber. As for Ateneo, we will regroup and go back to training, of course. No other solution but we will go train again," he added.
Meanwhile, UE outplayed Adamson University, 3-2, to gain a share of second place.
National University also prevailed over De La Salle University, 3-2, to improve at 5-4 followed by University of the Philippines at 3-7.
Adamson is sixth at 1-9 while La Salle has a 1-10 slate. (PNA)
