Knights trim Altas, claim NC tennis title

MANILA, Philippines - Letran turned back a gritty Perpetual Help side, 2-1, to clinch its fifth straight title in the seniors division of the 90th NCAA lawn tennis tournament at the rain-soaked Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday.

Down a match after Ian Valenzuela fell to Ed Parangan, 0-6, 1-6, in the first singles, the Knights fought back behind Bryan Saarenas and Adjuthor Moralde, who trounced Chad Bautista and Renz Sevilla, 6-2, 6-2, in the doubles and Jeffrie Jumawan, who blasted Elbert Bacong, 6-3, 6-1, in the second singles to seal the crown.

“The school and the whole Letran community are proud of their accomplishment, they worked hard for it,” said Letran athletic moderator and Management Committee member Fr. Vic Calvo, OP.

San Beda, for its part, smashed Letran to book its back-to-back juniors crown.

Noel Damian bashed Jose Nicolas Cano, 6-3, 6-1, and Andre Rodriguez and Edijardo Bagatoro turned back Marcus and Miguel del Rosario, 6-4, 6-2, to give coach Jovy Mamawal his 18th championship.

“We dedicate this victory to San Beda. Without them, we couldn’t have done this,” said Mamawal.

In the other seniors match, San Beda edged San Sebastian, 2-1, on wins by Vince Ramiscal over Arjohn dela Cruz, 6-3, 6-4, and Andre Tuason and Whiamark Basanid over Arman Artuz and Ryan Labastida, 6-1, 7-5.

The Stags’ only triumph came from Francis Parangan, who outlasted Christian Alcantara, 6-2, 7-5.