University of the East avenged its close first-round defeat and handed University of Santo Tomas its first defeat in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Tennis Tournament, Wednesday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.
Norman Gaspar came from behind against Erucjay Tangub, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, to send the Red Warriors just half-a-tie behind leaders UST and Ateneo de Manila University in second at 6-2. The first loss by Tennisters sees them still in first albeit sharing it with the Blue Eagles at 6-1.
On March 25, Gaspar lost a close one against UST’s top gun Nilo Ledama, 4-6, 4-6, while Tangub paced the singles sweep for UST over Ryle Singson, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, and like this last time, the Red Warriors took both the doubles matches.
Rastly Baje and Stephen Guia reasserted their mastery on Symon Jaculan, but this time with Nik Isagan, to take the second doubles match at 6-7, 6-2, 6-1, and effectively clinched the tie. Dawson Ormoc and Prince Lastimosa edged out Steven Sonsona and Geo Serino, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, in the first doubles.
Ledama took the first singles for UST, 6-3, 6-3, but Marc Suson, playing singles this time, closed the rout for UE over Sebastian Santos 6-3, 6-1.
On the other courts, National University solidified its bid for a Final Four apperance as the defending champion also carved a 4-1 rout of still winless Adamson University.
Jules Lazaro took care Emmanuel Pedrosa in the second singles rubber, 4-6, 6-0, 6-4, to push the Bulldogs to a solo fourth at 5-3.
Later in that afternoon, University of the Philippines revived their own semifinals hope after a similar 4-1 decision over De La Salle University.
Loucas Fernandez regained his winning ways with a 6-1, 6-2 clinic past Kevin Garrido, to put the Fighting Maroons in fifth and just two ties behind NU.
The Green Tennistes slipped to 1-7, while the Soaring Falcons are now at 0-8.