National University’s three-peat dreams got a boost after securing itself a place in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Tennis Finals with a 4-1 drubbing of Ateneo on Sunday at the Felisicimo Ampon Tennis Center inside the Rizal Sports Complex.
The Lady Bulldogs needed just the first three matches to remain unscathed in six ties and get the first of two tickets to the championship round, while the Blue Eagles slipped to 1-6 and a share of the fifth to sixth places
Elsie Abarquez continued her fine form as she romped to a 7-6(3), 6-1 win over Faye Dizon to secure both the tie at 3-0 and the Finals berth.
This followed after Adeline Abadia rolled past Chelsea Roque, 6-3, 6-2 in the opening singles match, and Angela Cabaral and Rovie Baulete took down Tricia Howard and Zaina Omar, 6-0, 6-2 in the first doubles rubber.
Reigning MVP Mae Bornia bagged another win, this time with Juliana Carvajal, via a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Althea Martirez and Yam Garsin, even as Althea Ong averted a shutout for Ateneo with a 6-0, 6-3 stunner past JM Carcueva.
On the other hand, University of the East joined University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo in the men’s Final Four, after dealing University of the Philippines a 4-1 rout.
Kent Morales and RJ Baje sent the Red Warriors to a third straight semifinals appearance with a huge 6-3, 6-4 conquest of Hakim Baolot and Allen Rombawa in the second doubles match.
The remaining ties saw Final Four-bound Ateneo and UST wallop their respective assignments on the men’s side.
Blue Eagles’ JD Velez bounced back from a stinging defeat the previous day to waylay Raven Hitosis, 6-1, 6-1 to snag the 5-0 sweep of archrivals La Salle Green Tennisters.
The defending champions UST, meanwhile, saw EJ Tangub score 6-2, 6-1 quick work of Miecoz Candelasa for yet another dominant victory, 5-0, against Adamson.
