UAAP tennis tournament day-by-day rundown

By Jianzen Deananeas

With the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) games back in action with its second-semester events, various sports have been in the watchful eye of fans everywhere. One of the forefronts of UAAP games has been tennis, a sport that has loyal fans in the Philippines. Held in the Felicismo Ampon Tennis Court, located at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the competition has never been more fierce as schools across Manila compete to win it all.

UST shows dominance on the first day

The UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas opened its title bid with a 5-0 domination of De La Salle University (DLSU) on the opening day of the UAAP Season 85 Men's Tennis tournament, Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis in Malate, Manila.

In the opening singles match, which marked the competition's return after a four-year break, Nilo Ledama, who dominated the National College Tennis Championships last year with three trophies, led the charge for the UST Tennisters. He defeated Al Francis Andrade 6-0, 6-1.

When Matt Palasan and RJ Varrey defeated Vince Serino and John Steven Sonsona in the opening set of the first doubles, match at 6-2, De La Salle avoided being completely swept.

Serino and Sonsona tied the match with a tiebreak victory in the second session, but Palasan got stomach cramps and the Green Tennisters had to retire with the third set at 4-0.

UST coach Alexander Diego said after the victory, "I'm glad because the players performed. Although, there were some adjustments because it was the first game pa lang naman. So, hopefully, ma-maintain yung performance ng players ko.”

After a 5-0 victory over Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) also triumphed, with standouts Gab Tiamson and Jed Olivarez taking home victories in their respective singles matches.

Olivarez, who placed second in the 2022 Olivarez Cup, defeated Ramon Bentillo 6-2, 6-0, and Tiamson defeated Catteo Jayme 6-1, 6-2.

The University of the East defeated the University of the Philippines 4-1 to join UST and Ateneo as schools with victories on opening day. Walther Luzon and Rafael Liangco were defeated by Dawson Ormoc and Prince Lastimosa in the first doubles match, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

On the women's side, UP and UST finished off the group of first-day champions by defeating Ateneo and DLSU, respectively, 4-1 and 3-2.

Joshea Malazarte, who also won a triple championship in the same National Intercollegiate competition, paired up with Jesha Cervantes to defeat Bea De Ocampo and Gabby Sandejas with a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory. In the opening singles match, Fighting Maroon Rachel Velez overcame nausea to overcome Faye Dizon, 6-2, 6-4.

"Proud kaming lahat sa performance nila. Ngayon, sa first tie nila na-execute talaga nila yung intention nilang ilabas. Emotionally, kinakabahan sila; however, the most vital thing is that she enjoys herself," UP coach Franklin Encarnacion told NEO.

Princess Dela Rita made a strong first impression for the Tennisters by blanking Steffanie Martin 6-0, 6-0, and Abbygale Singcol and Princess Gom-os held off Arianne Nilasca and Kiezl Diaz's comeback attempt in the second set, 6-0, 6-2.

Miles Vitaliano was defeated by DLSU's Mikaela Vicencio in three sets, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, to give the team its second victory of the day.

NU starts their title defense run on the second day

NATIONAL University began its title defense after defeating Ateneo de Manila University 4-1 in the UAAP Season 85 Women's Tennis tournament on Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.

Despite having just two members of the UAAP 81 championship team remaining on the lineup, the Lady Bulldogs managed to win thanks to a combination of these two seniors and newcomers.

Seniors Alliah Ragunton and captain Alyssa Mae Bornia won the first doubles match 6-0, 6-0. The match and tie were won by Rovie Baulete and Jan Marie Anghag when they defeated Francesca Cruz and Mariam Garsin by scores of 6-1 and 6-1.

"Glad naman po kami sa performance namin," Ragunton stated in reference to the team's positive performance overall. "For the first and second doubles, naipanalo po namin. Yun lang po, sa third singles medyo nadehado kami.”

Althea Ong defeated Jessica Mae Cueva 6-2, 6-3 to keep the Blue Eagles from going undefeated.

However, the University of Santo Tomas stole the show as the Tennisters defeated the previous co-leader University of the Philippines, 3-2 to take the lead alone at 2-0.

In order to draw the match, UP's Rachel Velez rallied from behind to defeat Miles Vitaliano 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 and keep him winless this season.

In the end, Fighting Maroons Anna De Myer and Renee Esteban were defeated by UST's Patricia Lim and partner Kryshana Brazal in a net-approach victory, 7-5, 7-5.

In the men's competition, UST also achieved its second victory after defeating the reigning champions NU, 3-2.

In the second singles match, Nilo Ledama defeated Aljon Talatayod 7-5, 6-2 to secure the victory for the Tennisters and maintain his perfect record in two sets.

Eric Tangub defeated Jude Ceniza 7-5, 3-3 (ret.), while John Sonsona and Vince Serino defeated Rucel Cero and Feb Deja 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 to win the first two matches for UST.

Coach Johnny Arcilla, who had previously collaborated with former NU coach Karl Santamaria during the school's prior championship run, joined the Tennisters' team, providing them with a recognizable face on the Bulldogs' side as they pulled off the upset.

"Siguro nakatulong din na dati akong nasa NU. Alam ko yung mga galaw-galaw nila. Sinabi ko sa players na ‘Ito ang gawin mo, ganito ganyan.’”

With 5-0 victories over Adamson University and De La Salle University, The University of the East and the University of the Philippines also triumphed for the day.

Jarell Edangga of the Red Warriors led the team with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Jefrey Burgos, and youngster Loucas Fernandez of the Fighting Maroons earned his team's second victory of the year with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over EJ Geluz.