SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — Defending women’s champion University of Santo Tomas notched its first win in the UAAP tennis tournament after taking down Ateneo, 4-1, yesterday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.
La Salle, meanwhile, pulled off a breakthrough 3-2 revesal over National University to climb to 2-1 in solo second. Idle University of the Philippines is still on top with a 2-0 card.
UST evened its record at 1-1 to tie with NU.
Judy Padilla and Christine Gulagula delivered in the crucial stretch, beating Zaina Omar and Eloh Castolo in second doubles, 6-0, 6-0, to secure the tie.
“’Yung mindset po namin ay laban lang po and siyempre, alam namin ‘yung mga kalaban namin na gusto rin nilang mabawi ‘yung championship. Kami po, lalaban at lalaban lang para ma-defend ‘yung championship namin,” said UST’s reigning MVP Kaye Emana. “Ngayon, nakikita ko po [sa team] na medyo kulang po kami sa play, pero lumalaban pa rin po.”
Last season’s top rookie Mica Emana defeated Cacai Padilla in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, in first singles. After splitting the first two sets of her next match, Emana steadied herself in the decider, overpowering Althea Ong, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, to extend UST’s lead to 2-0.
The Blue Eagles pulled one point back through Althea Martirez and Chelsea Roque, who took control late for a 7-5, 6-2 win in first doubles.
UST, however, had the final say as Kaye Mustaza edged Angela Buyante, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, to close out the tie.
In the men’s division, UP remained unbeaten in three ties, defeating winless Ateneo, 4-1.
Titleholder NU notched back-to-back wins, cruising past La Salle, 4-1, while UST returned to winning ways with a 5-0 triumph over Adamson, both improving to 2-1.
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