By Jean Malanum
MANILA – University of Santo Tomas (UST) opened its UAAP Season 87 women’s tennis campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over De La Salle University at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Saturday.
Rookie Mica Emana beat Bea Gomez in the opening singles, 6-0, 6-2, before La Salle’s Jam Madis prevailed over Patricia Lim, 6-3, 6-4, for a 1-1 count.
UST, runner-up to champion National University (NU) last season, swept the next three matches to secure the best-of-five tie.
Debbie Gom-os and Judy Ann Padilla cruised past Arriane Nillasca and Amor Idjao, 6-1, 6-3; Kay Emana outlasted Mikee Vicencio, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(1); and April Bentillo and Justine Maneja completed the rout with a 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Althea Liwag and Precious Miranda.
“What I instilled in their minds is one game at a time, one university at a time. The mindset of every player is hungry to claim championships. They are more determined this season compared to last year. The way they practice, the unity of the team is there,” UST coach Dennis Sta. Cruz said in an interview.
University of the Philippines also defeated Ateneo de Manila, 4-1, while its men’s team stunned defending champion NU, 3-2, for its first win over the Sampaloc, Manila squad since Season 74. (PNA)
