REIGNING UAAP Women’s Tennis champion National University secured its sixth finals appearance in seven years by edging out winless De La Salle University in a 3-2 decision on Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center.
With a pristine 6-0 record, the Lady Bulldogs await their opponents at the top of the standings as Elsei Abarquez pulled through in the third singles match for the squad against Aubrey Macalma, 6-1, 6-1.
Maikee Vicencio took the first singles match for the Lady Green Tennisters, 6-2, 6-1, over J.M. Carcueva, but Danna Abad got one back for the Lady Bulldogs with a 6-2, 6-0 finish against Steph Martin in the second singles.
DLSU’s Eliana Misa and Beatrice Gomez won the first doubles rubber on the walkover of Allysa Bornia and Alliah Ragunton. Eventually, though, NU’s Rovie Baulete and Jan Anghag dominated Jam Madis and Angel Alcal, 6-2, 6-1 in the second to set up Abarquez’s heroics.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines made a step towards claiming the other final spot with a win against fellow contender Ateneo de Manila University with a similar 3-2 result.
With the tie hanging in the balance, the top Fighting Maroons duo of Joshea Malazarte and Jesha Cervantes needed to come back from a set deficit to snag the win, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, against Tracy Llamas and Mariam Garsin.
