Patrimonio powers NU to UAAP tennis crown

MANILA, Philippines - Christine Patrimonio toppled Rachelle de Guzman in straight sets as National U edged De La Salle U, 3-2, to capture the women’s tennis crown in the UAAP Season 76 at the Olivarez College courts in Sucat recently.

Patrimonio, one of the two tennis-playing daughters of basketball great Alvin, broke De Guzman once in the opening set then stamped her class in the next to complete a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

The win thus capped NU’s come-from-behind victory as the Lady Bulldogs fought back from 1-2 down against the dethroned champion Lady Archers despite wresting the opening singles through Marie Gold Nagret and Anna Vienna Biernes’s triumph over Lynette Palasan and Dasha Camille Bautista in the opening doubles, 6-2, 6-0,

De La Salle took the two singles matches with NU rookie Jzash Eale Canja being forced to retire due to cramps late in the second set to hand Ma. Regina Santiago the win, 3-6, 5-4 (ret.). Marinel Rudas made it 2-1 for De La Salle with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Hanna Grace Espinosa in the second singles.

But Patrimonio, who later bagged the MVP honors, rose to the occasion, gaining inspiration from Kimberly Kaye Uytico and Junnalyn Polito’s victory over Anne Rene Castillo and Nikkirey Arandia in the second doubles match, 6-3, 6-4, at the adjacent court.

“After the last point, I didn’t know what to feel,” said Patrimonio, who battled conditioning issues throughout the season after experiencing an assortment of illnesses.

The Lady Bulldogs’ win thus capped NU’s sweep of the tennis competitions after their men’s squad beat University of the Philippines for the crown last Tuesday.