UST, Ateneo netters share Actifit top honors

UST rallied to stun Ateneo in the men’s team finals and foil the Katipunan-based school’s sweep bid in the PPS-PEPP Actifit National Students Open at the KCDA Actifit Sports Center in Valenzuela City.

Christian Fel Lopez and Mart Cabahug wore down Julian Dayrit and Luke Flores, 8-7 (4), in doubles play then Jose Maria Pague pulled off the same score-line escape over Marcen Angelo Gonzales in the other singles match to complete UST’s stirring comeback.

Gabriel Tiamson bested Dave Mosqueda, 8-6, in the first singles to give Ateneo a 1-0 edge in the title clash of the inaugural all-students tournament presented by MCF Global and backed by Kap. Eli Demafelis.

National U turned back La Salle, 2-1, to finish third in the three-weekend event that featured leading players from top colleges and universities.

Earlier, Ateneo dominated the women’s team championship as Melanie Faye Dizon routed UPA’s Bianca Pica, 8-2, in the first singles then Tracy Llamas and Janelle Llavore held off Nica Alanis and Danna Uy, 8-7(4), in the doubles. The Lady Eagles swept the tie with a walkover win in the other singles duel of the event sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg.

Tiamson, meanwhile, subdued Gonzales, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, in an all-Ateneo finals to capture the men’s singles crown while Dizon thwarted UP’s Patricia Velez, 6-3, 6-4, to secure the women’s singles diadem.