MANILA – University of Santo Tomas staged a dramatic comeback to defeat defending champion National University, 3-2, and book a place in the UAAP Season 88 men’s tennis finals on Sunday at Colegio San Agustin in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
The pair of Steven Sonsona and Al Zayeed Baid sealed the deciding point for UST after beating Angil Balaoing and Isaac Lim, 7-5, 6-3, in the second doubles encounter.
NU looked poised for victory early on after taking the first two singles matches. Alexis Acabo dominated Evan Bacalso, 6-4, 6-0, while Andrei Padao bested Ericjay Tangub, 6-2, 6-4.
UST responded with three straight wins. Christopher Sonsona toppled Jules Lazaro, 6-2, 6-4, before Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines defeated Christian Padilla and Miguel Vicencio, 6-0, 6-4, in the first doubles match to level the tie.
The victory sends the Male Tennisters to their fourth consecutive finals appearance, where they will face the University of the Philippines in a best-of-three championship series starting March 25.
UST is chasing its 17th UAAP men’s tennis title, while UP is seeking to end a championship drought that has lasted 26 years.
During the elimination round, UP’s only loss came against UST, 4-1, in the first round, though the Fighting Maroons later returned the favor with a similar 4-1 win in the second round.
Baid credited the team’s perseverance and composure under pressure for their comeback victory.
“We faced a lot of challenges, but we stayed focused. Our coaches helped us stay calm, and we just gave everything we had,” he said.
In the boys’ division, University of the East and National University Nazareth School arranged a championship duel after dominant semifinal performances.
UE blanked De La Salle Zobel, 3-0, while NUNS defeated Ateneo de Manila University, 2-0.
The boys’ championship match is scheduled on March 28 at 7:30 a.m.
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