MANILA, Philippines - Rampaging De La Salle U seeks to put the finishing touches to a perfect season by shooting for the UAAP Season 74 men’s lawn tennis crown today against newbie National U at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The Green Archers enter the court at 9 a.m. armed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the finale by virtue of their unblemished 10-0 win-loss slate in the elims, all pumped up to cop their first diadem since 2008.
Standing in their way are the Bulldogs, who on their maiden appearance, already made the finals after registering a second-best 8-2 card.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas (3-3) and University of the Philippines (3-3) meet in a playoff duel in the women’s divison of the tourney backed by Dunlop Fort ELITE 3 also at 9 a.m. The winner earns the right to challenge unbeaten DLSU Lady Archers (6-0) in the finals.
The DLSU and NU netters go at it three days after engaging in an elims encounter that went the distance – in favor of La Salle.
“More than the twice-to-beat advantage, the confidence we have going up against them is key. We beat them twice (in the elims) so it’s no fluke and I don’t have to push my players anymore,” DLSU coach Roland Kraut said as quoted by UAAPSports.TV.
Although claiming the underdog tag, the Bulldogs had shown they have the bite, too, taking the first singles and doubles matches the last time out, courtesy of Leander Lazaro and the tandem of Fritz Chris Verdad and Al Michael Madrio.
DLSU drew level with triumphs from Ernesto Pantua in second singles and Pemrik Alina and Kyle Cordero in second doubles and then fifth-year player Michael Basco did his part in the third singles, providing the clincher for the green side.
NU coach Karl Sta. Maria said being rookies, the Bulldogs have the tendency to “play as such or be brilliant.”