REIGNING champion National University made a powerful statement to open the second round of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Tennis Tournament, sweeping De La Salle University 5-0 to keep its perfect record intact last Sunday at the FelicisimoAmpon Tennis Center, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
JM Carcueva sealed the victory for the Lady Bulldogs with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win over Jam Madis in the third singles match.
“Teamwork talaga ‘yungimportantekasi if we trust each other within the team, nakakadagdag ‘yun ng confidence especially samganaglalaro and also cheering each other [on] for us to perform our best,” said Carcueva, sharing what has fueled NU’s unbeaten run.
“To keep the momentum, andiyan din ‘yungmga coaches namin, nag[bibigay ng] advice, nagpapatuloysapagpuntasa court… para ma-improve pa ‘yunglaronamin,” added the 23-year-old Davaoeña.
NU’s Danna Abad set the tone with a dominant 6-1, 6-4 victory over La Salle’s Bea Gomez in the first singles match. Elsie Abarquez faced a tougher challenge but fought hard for a 6-3, 7-5 win over MaikeeVicencio in the second singles encounter.
The Lady Bulldogs’ duo of Jasmine Jaran and Kolin Cornell cruised past Precious Miranda and Althea Liwag, 6-2, 6-1, in the first doubles match, further extending NU’s lead to 4-0.
AdiAbadia and RovieBaulete capped off the sweep with a gritty comeback, rallying from a 1-6 deficit to outlast Amor Idjao and Arianne Nillasca, 1-6, 7(7)-6(4), 10-6, in the second doubles match.
The Lady Bulldogs maintained their perfect 5-0 record to stay atop the standings, while the Lady Tennisters slipped to 1-5, placing them fourth in the tournament supported by Wilson Philippines.
