Arch rivals Ateneo and La Salle brace for a grueling battle of power and stamina as they play two matches each today (Tuesday), ushering in the men’s competition in the National College Tennis Team Championships at the PCA outdoor courts in Paco, Manila.
The Eagles face the UST Tigers at 8 a.m. then return in the afternoon to slug it out with the National U Bulldogs at 1 p.m. in Group A play. UST and NU clash tomorrow (Wednesday) at 1 p.m.
The Archers, on the other hand, tangle with the University of the East Warriors at 8 a.m. and the University of the Philippines Maroons at 1 p.m. in Group B. UE and UP duel tomorrow, also at 1 p.m.
The top two teams will advance to the crossover semifinals with the winners disputing the crown.
Hostilities in the women’s side actually kicked off yesterday (Monday), pitting La Salle against Ateneo; and UP versus NU in morning play. UP battled La Salle while NU faced Ateneo in afternoon matches.
UP will take on Ateneo tomorrow while La Salle and NU square off with the top two teams advancing to the winner-take-all finals of the week-long event serving as part of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala tennis program, led by president/CEO Bobby Castro.
Fierce action is also seen in the individual champion with the leading players and rising stars in the ranks making up the big cast, including regular campaigners in the PPS-PEPP circuit, among them UST’s Nilo Ledama, Eric Jay Tangub, Jose Maria Pague and John Steven Sonsona, NU’s Jude Ceniza, Vince Tugade and Aljon Talatayod, and Ateneo’s Gabriel Tiamson, Nio Tria, Diego Dayrit and Eric Jed Olivarez, Jr.
