University of the East avenged its heartbreaking first-round defeat to University of Santo Tomas with a 4-1 rout in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Tennis Tournament, Wednesday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.
Norman Gaspar came from behind to beat Erucjay Tangub, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, to push the Red Warriors just half-a-tie behind leaders UST and Ateneo y in second at 6-2. UST and Ateneo are toting similar 6-1 records.
On March 25, Gaspar lost to UST’s top gun Nilo Ledama, 4-6, 4-6, while Tangub paced the singles sweep for UST over Ryle Singson, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, and like this last time, the Red Warriors took both the doubles matches.
Rastly Baje and Stephen Guia reasserted their mastery on Symon Jaculan, but this time with Nik Isagan, to take the second doubles match at 6-7, 6-2, 6-1, and effectively clinched the tie.
Dawson Ormoc and Prince Lastimosa edged out Steven Sonsona and Geo Serino, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, in the first doubles.
Ledama took the first singles for UST, 6-3, 6-3, but Marc Suson, playing singles for this time, closed the rout for UE over Sebastian Santos 6-3, 6-1.
Meanwhile, National University solidified its bid for a Final Four appearance as the defending champion also carved a 4-1 rout of still winless Adamson University.
Jules Lazaro took care Emmanuel Pedrosa in the second singles rubber, 4-6, 6-0, 6-4, to push the Bulldogs to a solo fourth at 5-3.
Later in that afternoon, University of the Philippines revived its own semifinals bid with a similar 4-1 decision over De La Salle University.
