UST, La Salle netters try to retain UAAP tennis crowns

The UAAP tennis tournament goes into the championship stage on Wednesday with the University of Santo Tomas men's team and the La Salle women's team trying to retain their crowns at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. UST faces La Salle in a best-of-three title series after the Archers defeated the Tigers on the final day of eliminations last February 12. In the women's division, La Salle holds a twice-to-beat edge in the championship series as it goes up against Ateneo, a team that handed the Lady Archers their only defeat of the tournament. Both games will be played simultaneously at 9 a.m. The Archers banked on Ernesto Pantua's win over UST top rookie Kim Saraza, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, to earn a 3-2 win and stop the Tigers from claiming the title via an elimination round sweep. The Lady Eagles, meanwhile, defeated the Lady Archers, 3-2, last February 5, with national player Michelle Pang instrumental in the win. UST and La Salle finished the men's elimination phase with a 7-1 card, while the La Salle and Ateneo women's squads had 5-1 and 4-2 cards, respectively. La Salle coach Roland Kraut said that it would be easy motivating his men’s and women's teams in the championship. "We just came from a big win over UST in the men’s, and our only loss in the women's was against Ateneo, so there’s a lot of motivation for us," said Kraut to GMA News. But Kraut said that it will be difficult to play against UST, which is bannered by the nation's fifth-best netter in Ralph Kevin Barte and a junior standout in Saraza. "Ever since the tournament began, UST has already been the favorites. But it takes three matches to win the tie," said Kraut. La Salle will rely on Pantua and Alberto Villamor in the singles, along with doubles specialists David De Koenigswarter and Juan Fidel. Game 2 of the men's and, if necessary, the women's championship series is set on Saturday, February 19. Game 3 of the men’s title tilt will be held on February 20 if needed. – Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News