UAAP: NU men a step closer to tennis title after outlasting UST

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UAAP: NU men a step closer to tennis title after outlasting UST

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NU's Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla in action against UST in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men's tennis Finals, April 9, 2025 at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila. UAAP MediaNU's Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla in action against UST in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men's tennis Finals, April 9, 2025 at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila. UAAP Media

MANILA -- National University is one step away from reclaiming the UAAP men's tennis championship after a thrilling 3-2 triumph over defending champion University of Santo Tomas in Game 1 of the Season 87 Finals on Wednesday evening.

The Bulldogs are now just one win away from their first championship since Season 81, and they aim to finish the job in Game 2 set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, still at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.

Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla delivered the clincher for NU, dominating Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan, 6-1, 6-1, in the second doubles match. 

Their win sealed the Game 1 triumph and gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Finals of the tournament backed by Wilson Philippines.

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"At the start of the game pa lang, sinabi namin sa kanila na paniwalaan niyo 'yung sarili niyo. At dapat 'yung mindset natin is positive attitude lagi na kahit anong mangyari—especially 'yung down na down na kami—kailangan doon kami mas lalong mag-step up, mas maging positive," said NU head coach Bobby Esquivel.

The Bulldogs had duplicated the efforts of their women's team, which earlier turned back UST, 3-1, for a 1-0 lead in their own championship series.

"Kailangan talaga na mag-strive kami na kunin 'yung Game 1 para sa Game 2, nasa amin 'yung momentum [at] hindi kami ma-pressure sa next game," said Balaoing. "May pressure, pero parang ginapang lang po talaga namin. Like 'yung will to win namin, 'yun ang nagpa-overcome ng takot or ng kalaban namin kanina.

"Mas hihigpitan pa namin [sa next game], like 'yung training namin…tapos sa game siguro, mas lalo pa namin mas gagalingan pa."

Nilo Ledama earlier gave the Male Tennisters the early edge by outlasting Aljon Talatayod. After taking the opening set, Ledama held his nerve in a tense tiebreaker to secure a 6-2, 7(8)-6(6) win.

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Rookie standout Andrei Padao remained undefeated in singles play, dispatching UST’s Sebastian Santos, 6-3, 6-2, to level the tie for NU.

UST struck back behind the duo of Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines, who took the first doubles match with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Gab Bandoquillo and Jules Lazaro to momentarily reclaim the advantage, 2-1.

But the Bulldogs quickly leveled the tie once more as EJ Tugade dominated Ericjay Tangub in the third singles match, 6-3, 6-2, to make it 2-all and set the stage for Balaoing and Padilla's decisive performance.

The awarding ceremony for the individual honors and third-place teams will be held after Game 2 of the women’s finals, which starts earlier at 7 a.m.

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