NU drubs UST, snares UAAP tennis diadem

MANILA, Philippines - National University drubbed University of Santo Tomas, 3-1, yesterday to cap its perfect UAAP men’s tennis season at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

It was a sweet victory for the Bulldogs, who lost the crown to the La Salle Archers last year but won it this time via an 11-0 sweep for their first championship.

“It was tough.  We are still inexperienced, but they played with sheer determination and a lot of heart,” said Bulldogs coach Karl Santamaria. â€œWe can only get better from here.”

The Growling Tigers started the tie on the right track, as RK Barte routed Al Khady Jainul, 6-0, 6-1, in the opening singles.

But NU fought back and took the next three matches to win the crown.

The defending champion Tigresses, meanwhile, forged a best-of-three title showdown with La Salle as UST eliminated University of the Philippines for the second straight year, 3-2.

Zaza Paulino bailed out the Tigresses, bucking a second set loss to defeat JV Custodio, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, in the deciding singles.

UST also drew wins from doubles pairs of Dianne Bautista and Jhie Helar, as well as reigning MVP Macy Gonzales and April Santos.

Season MVP Leander Lazaro blanked Bernanlou Bering, 6-0, 6-0, in the second singles, while Dheo Talatayod and Al Michael Madrio went thru the wringer before hacking out a 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Randy Delavin and Bernardine Baring in the first doubles.

Jigo Peña and Tim Polero wrapped things up for the Bulldogs with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 second doubles win over Ryan Montalbo and Francis Patiño.