Archers keep UAAP women's tennis title

MANILA, Philippines –  Sophomore Reggie Santiago provided the spark as La Salle outclassed Ateneo, 4-0, to retain the title in the UAAP Season 73 women’s tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center recently.

Santiago, 17, stopped AdMU skipper and national team mainstay Michelle Pang, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the second singles to lift the Lady Archers to victory. The DLSU lady netters enjoyed a twice-to-beat advantage in the finals after topping the elims with a 5-1 win-loss slate, a victory ahead of AdMU’s 4-2.

“I was erratic in the first set but made the necessary adjustments. I became consistent in my power game and that enabled me to take control,” said Santiago, who was named tournament MVP.

Her win put an end to the 28-game streak of the graduating Pang dating back to the 2006-07 season.

It was the fourth overall crown for the Lady Archers, tying the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses as the league’s winningest team.

Martina Guba started off DLSU’s rampage with a 6-0, 6-0 disposal of Ateneo’s Mary Grace Rivero, 6-0, 6-0, in the first singles.Twins Raisa and Aura Opulencia followed this up with a 6-1, 6-1 beating of Monique Angelo and Jessica Lagman in the first doubles.

Trudy Amoranto and Kristie Barraquias completed DLSU’s romp with a 6-4, 6-4 drubbing of Ivy de Castro and Joan Opulencia.