Manila: Defending champion National University registered its first victory in the UAAP Season 88 men's tennis tournament after demolishing Ateneo de Manila University, 5-0, Wednesday at the Colegio San Agustin hardcourt in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
According to Philippines News Agency, Alexis Acabo led the charge for NU by defeating Gab Quintana with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 victory. Jules Lazaro continued the momentum with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Gabby Calilung, and Isaac Lim secured a crucial point by outplaying JD Velez, 7-5, 7-5, pushing the Bulldogs to a 3-0 lead.
In the doubles matches, Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla triumphed over JB Cuarto and Lukas Yupangco, 6-1, 6-1. The Bulldogs sealed their clean sweep with Miguel Vicencio and Kristopher Espinosa defeating JC Pabillore and Vito Singson, 6-1, 6-3. NU was previously coming off a 1-4 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons on February 15.
NU head coach Bobby Esquivel remarked, "I told the players that they need to play more loose in this game. Our first game against UP, our opponent was ourselves because of the pressure.[so] we really needed to adjust. Now, they are more focused on their respective roles as singles players and doubles players."
Meanwhile, University of the East maintained its perfect record after three outings by defeating the University of Santo Tomas, 3-2. UE initially led 2-0 with victories from Marc Suson and Allyson Cabanilla. However, UST fought back in the doubles matches before UE clinched the tie with a singles win from JB Aguilar.
In another match, De La Salle University defeated Adamson University, 4-1, securing its first tournament win. La Salle's JT Bernardo won his singles match, and despite Adamson leveling the score, the Green Tennisters dominated the remaining matches to emerge victorious.
UST joined NU in third place with a 1-1 record, trailing behind the idle UP, which stands at 2-0. La Salle and Adamson share second place with 1-2 records.
