UST, La Salle duel for net title

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas seeks to complete a shocking upset while titleholder La Salle looks to put an icing to a near-flawless season as the two dispute the UAAP Season 74 women’s lawn tennis crown today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The Tigresses pulled the rug from under the top-seeded Lady Archers at the start of the finals last Friday, 3-2, handing the three-peat-seeking DLSU netters their first loss this season and forcing the knockout tie beginning at 9 a.m.

UST banked on April Santos and Macy Gonzales’ 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-2 triumph over Kirstie Barraquias and Trudy Amoranto in the second doubles, and Zaza Paulino’s 6-2, 6-1 romp over Enah Baba in the deciding third singles, to secure the crucial win.

“We hope whoever would draw Amoranto and Barraquias (in game 2) would deliver. We feel these doubles tandem are the ones to beat because La Salle is solid in two singles, (Ma. Regina) Santiago and (Martina) Guba. Of course, our last singles should also rise to the occasion,” said UST coach Dennis Sta. Cruz.

Guba and Santiago accounted for DLSU’s victories in the opener of the tourney supported by Dunlop Fort Elite 3. UST’s other W came from Diane Bautista and Jhie Helar in the first doubles.

DLSU is shooting for a seventh women’s title and 11th overall while UST is eyeing its fourth in the ladies and 10th tennis crown in all.