Reigning champions reassert dominance

Reigning champions National University (NU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) reaffirmed their dominance after hammering contrasting victories in rematches of last season’s finals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 tennis tournament on Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.

The Lady Bulldogs edged the UST Female Tennisters with a thrilling 3-2 victory, highlighted by Elsie Abarquez and Kolin Cornell’s 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 win over Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja in the decisive second doubles match.

UST took an early lead with Kaye Emana defeating NU’s Jasmine Jaran 6-2, 6-3 in the first singles match. However, JM Carcueva responded for the Lady Bulldogs, overpowering Princess Dela Rita 6-1, 6-2 in the second singles match.

NU’s Danna Abad then secured another crucial victory, outlasting UST’s Mica Emana in a grueling 7(7)-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 third singles match.

UST kept the contest alive in the first doubles match, with Judy Padilla and Debbie Gom-os prevailing over NU’s Rovie Baulete and Adeline Abadia, 7(7)-6(5), 3-6, 10-6.

But Abarquez and Cornell prevailed in the second doubles and sealed the tie for NU.

NU leads the standings with a 3-0 record, while UST dropped to second place.

Meanwhile, in the men’s division, UST flexed its dominance against Ateneo de Manila University with a commanding 5-0 victory.

Ericjay Tangub capped the performance with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 win in the second singles match.

NU leads the standings with a 3-0 record, while UST dropped to second place.

Sebastian Santos set the tone early for UST with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory over Gab Quintana in the first singles match before Nilo Ledama continued the momentum with a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over JD Velez in the third singles match.

The Male Tennisters further asserted control in the doubles matches.

Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan overcame JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue, 6-4, 6-4, while Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines wrapped up the sweep with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Aidyll Ignacio and JB Cuarto.