Lady Bulldogs near elims sweep

Defending champion National University inched closer to completing an elimination round sweep in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women’s tennis tournament following a 3-2 thriller against the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center.

The Lady Bulldogs, who moved to a 7-0 record, will face the De La Salle University Lady Green Tennisters on Sunday for a huge momentum heading into the Finals, thanks to reigning Most Valuable Player Mae Bornia and Alliah Ragunton.

The two NU seniors showcased their tenacity and rallied from a set down to produce a thrilling 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory against UST’s Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja, securing the overall win for NU.

Elsie Abarquez started it off for the holders with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 work against Female Tennister Patricia Lim with a 6-1, 6-3. Angela Cabaral and Rovie Baulete survived a grueling exchange with UST’s Princess Gom-os and Miles Vitaliano, 7-6, 5-7, 7-5, for a 2-0 lead.

Rookie Kaye Emana, though, got one back for the España-based squad with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 turnaround against Danna Abad in the second singles match.

The UST Female Tennisters remain in second place with a 5-2 card, but will need to win against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday to secure the second Finals berth outright.

UP stopped Ateneo de Manila University, 3-2, in the day’s other tie to remain alive for a second straight championship series appearance.

Anica Cari and Jonamil Prado overwhelmed Ateneo’s Zaina Omar and Tricia Howard with the doubles bagel, 6-0, 6-0, in the second doubles match, to seal the Fighting Maroons’ fourth win against three defeats.

UP captain Tricia Velez dominated Ateneo’s Chelsea Roque, 6-0, 6-1, to set the tone for her squad, but Faye Dizon leveled the playing field for the Blue Eagles by defeating Achaia Cabahug, 6-1, 6-0.

Last year’s Rookie of the Year Joshea Malazarte and Jesha Cervantes, though, reclaimed UP’s advantage with a 6-3, 6-3 work past Yam Garsin and Althea Martirez in the first doubles match to set up Cari and Prado’s clincher.

Ateneo closes out its season with a 1-7 record.