UNIVERSITY of the East (UE) drew the best from its doubles team of Paulo Baran and Jeric de los Santos to beat University of Santo Tomas (UST) and capture its first men’s title in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 79 tennis tournament on Wednesday.
The Red Warriors completed a date with destiny with a series-clinching 3-1 conquest of the Growling Tigers at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
But as UE celebrated, Ateneo de Manila experienced mixed fortunes in volleyball on Wednesday.
Marck Espejo and Rex Intal registered 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Blue Eagles who extended their winning run to 11 this season—and 25 matches since Season 78—following a 25-18, 25-20, 25-14 victory that eliminated Adamson University.
The Lady Eagles, however, continued to suffer at the hands of the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs’ this season and absorbed a five-set17-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13 setback to go 0-2 against their tormentors in the eliminations. NU opened the season by beating Ateneo, 17-25, 13-25, 25-19, 27-29, last February 8.
NU’s victory snapped Ateneo’s eight-game streak but with a 9-2 card, the Lady Eagles remained in the solo lead. The Lady Bulldogs improved to 7-4.
Jaja Santiago finished with 25 points on 16 attacks, eight blocks and an ace, while Aiko Urdas and Jorelle Singh contributed 12 and 11 hits, respectively, for NU.
“This kind of wins is really a big boost for us,” NU Head Coach Roger Gorayeb expressed. “We need to accumulate wins now because we want to secure at least third or fourth place in the Final Four.”
UE’s Baran and De los Santos rallied from a 0-5 hole in the deciding set of the second doubles match to outlast Bernlou Baring and En-En Lopez, 6-7, 6-2, 7-5.
Tournament Most Valuable Player AJ Lim put up a clinic by taking down Jose Francis Suazo in an emphatic 6-0, 6-0 first singles win to put the Red Warriors ahead.
RJ Saga and Rogelio Estaño then survived a two-and-a-half hour first doubles match against Clarence Cabahug and Joel Cabusas 5-7, 6-4, 7-5, to give UE a 2-0 lead. UST extended the tie after Dave Mosqueda carved out a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 win over Dolfo Barquin.
Ateneo’s Jose Julian Dayrit bagged the Rookie of the Year honors.
Far Eastern University, meanwhile, arrested a three-game skid in men’s volleyball with a 25-19, 25-22, 25-13 conquest over similarly ousted UE to regain solo third spot a 6-5 record. Adamson University fell to a 2-9 card while UE dropped to 1-10.
Also in women’s volleyball, University of the Philippines beat Adamson University, 25-15, 25-16, 25-20, to keep its Final Four hopes alive. The Lady Maroons beat the hapless Lady Falcons in only 70 minutes to move to solo fifth place with a 6-5 win-loss record. Season 78 Rookie of the Year Isa Molde led UP with eight kills, six service aces and one block for 15 points with 22 digs. Jema Galanza booked 10 points for Adamson University which remained winless in 11 outings—the loss also its 18th straight since last season’s second round.
With Lance Agcaoili
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos