University of Santo Tomas reclaimed the UAAP women’s tennis crown, halting National University’s ‘four-peat’ bid with a huge 3-0 victory in Game 3 of the Season 87 Finals on Sunday, April 13, at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.
Last season, the Female Tennisters drew first blood in the Finals but ultimately fell short in the decisive Game 3. This time, they made sure history would not repeat itself—clinching Game 2 with a 3-1 decision before sealing the championship in the winner-take-all third tie, capturing their first title since Season 80.
The victory marked UST’s eighth overall women’s tennis crown, the most in UAAP history.
“So proud, so happy for the team,” said UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz. “‘Yun naman ang game plan namin is to get at least two singles for this last game. Luckily, we got three. ‘Di lang dalawa ‘yung binigay namin so we managed to finish the series in three singles na hindi na umabot ng doubles.
Finals MVP Mica Emana showed incredible poise and resilience in the second singles match.
After splitting the first two sets, Emana dug deep to outlast Danna Abad, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, clinching the championship and ending a seven-season title drought for the España-based squad.
“Tinibayan ko lang at tinapangan ko po, kagaya ng pagtitiwala sakin ng coaches ko and team ko so nagtiwala rin ako sa sarili ko para makuha ko itong award,” said Emana, who also followed in the footsteps of her sister Kaye by earning the Rookie of the Year award.
UST drew first blood in Game 3 behind the composed play of Patricia Lim in the third singles match. Lim overcame a tight first set against Julia Carvajal before taking control in the second to win, 6-4, 6-1.
Co-MVP Kaye Emana followed up with a gritty performance in the first singles match, defeating NU’s JM Carcueva in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, to give UST an early 2-0 lead.
