UST thrashes UP, warms up vs La Salle in UAAP tennis

Defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) downed University of the Philippines, 5-0, on Sunday in the UAAP men’s tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. The shutout win, plus the conclusion of UST’s rain-suspended match against Ateneo, had the Tigers joining La Salle on top of the standings with both teams still undefeated after three games. Four of UST’s matches against UP resulted in straight-set victories, which may be seen as a good warm-up for its much-awaited rematch with La Salle at the end of the first round of hostilities on January 22. The Tigers defeated the Green Archers in last season’s finals. Kim Saraza won over Justin Daniel Echague, 6-2, 6-1, Ralph Barte defeated Justin Mendoza, 6-1, 6-0, and Arm Procianos outclassed Jay Lance Cinco, 6-2, 6-1, in the singles matches. Ryan Montalbo and Gerard Pinili beat Dennis Vitaliano and Julian Mendoza, 6-4, 6-1, while Al Potutan and Bernardine Bering defeated Leandro Fernandez and Miguel Belda, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, in doubles play. UST’s Bernan Lou Bering lost to Ateneo’s Christian Carlo Canlas, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, when they resumed their rain-suspended match on January 9. Despite the loss, the Tigers won the match-up, 3-2. In another match, Ateneo finished its first round campaign with a 4-1 win over University of the East for a 2-2 win-loss card. Mark Balce and Luis Macalino scored easy 6-0, 6-0 wins over Prince Orilla and Mark Soriano, respectively, while Julius Lagman tripped Michael Belen, 6-1, 6-0, and the duo of Leyan Moncera and Andre Banate beat Neil Paez and Andre Ivan Orilla, 6-0, 6-2. Ivan Maneja and Michael Destura gave UE its lone win when they downed Jose Opulencia and Mark Trinos, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, in the other doubles game. UP and UE, winless in three games, collide on January 22 for their final game in the first round. Meanwhile, the UST women’s team, last season’s runner-up, wasn't as lucky, suffering a 3-2 setback against UP. UP's Sarah Jane Lim beat Season 71 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nikki Manalo, 6-3, 6-2, Mari Joie Altiche clipped Louise Magaway, 6-1, 6-1, and the duo of Karen Guillermo and JV Custodio defeated the tandem of Kathleen Castro and Jecille Ortellano, 6-0, 6-2. Defending champion La Salle beat Ateneo, 3-2, to remain undefeated after two games. UST slid to 1-1 while Ateneo is winless in two games. La Salle faces UST in a finals rematch while Ateneo battles UP at noon on January 22 at the Rizal Tennis Center. – JVP, KY, GMANews.TV