Defending champion University of Santo Tomas and National University secured their spots in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Tennis Final Four after defeating their respective opponents on Wednesday, March 19, at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.
The Male Tennisters made to the semis after Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan scored a tie-clinching 7(7)-6(2), 6-2 victory over Andrei Jarata and Ava Mandac of UP.
The win enabled UST to clinch the win, 4-1.
Meanwhile, NU handed Ateneo a tough blow, pushing the Blue Eagles to the brink of elimination with a dominant 5-0 sweep.
EJ Tugade highlighted NU’s win with a resilient 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Stef Gurria in the second singles match.
Ericjay Tangub delivered a gritty performance in a back-and-forth second singles match, overcoming UP’s Miguel Iglupas, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory to get UST rolling.
Nilo Ledama added to UST’s strong start with a hard-fought 6(1)-7(7), 6-3, 6-3 win over Lance Fernandez in the first singles match, putting the Male Tennisters up 2-0.
Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines then sealed UST’s victory with a composed performance in the first doubles match, outlasting Loucas Fernandez and Raymund Goco in a tight opening set before cruising to a 7(7)-6(3), 6-2 win.
UP’s Aslan Carbonilla ensured the Fighting Maroons avoided a sweep, pulling off a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Sebastian Santos in the third singles match.
The Male Tennisters improved to 7-1, tying the Bulldogs for the lead while the Fighting Maroons slipped to 6-3.
