UST one win away from men's title

It only took three singles matches for University of Santo Tomas to claim Game 1, shutting out University of the Philippines, 3-0, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Tennis Finals on Wednesday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court.

Just one win away from securing their 17th title—and their first since Season 86—the Male Tennisters aim to close out the series in Game 2 at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at the same Bulacan venue.

Ericjay Tangub turned the tide in the third singles after trailing three games in the third set against Loucas Fernandez.

Tangub won four consecutive games to break a 5-5 deadlock, eventually completing a 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 victory and giving UST a 1-0 edge in the finals.

“Itong first na panalo namin, ito ‘yung magbibigay ng kumpiyansa for the second game. Kailangan talaga naming kunin para [sa] next match ‘di kami ganun ka-tight and ka-pressured,” said Tangub. “Yun din ‘yung advantage namin, for being in four Finals appearances po.

“Sabi ni Coach Johnny (Arcilla) na i-enjoy na lang kasi down ako for the first set eh. Talo ako, then second set, dikit kami. So mindset ko na lang, kung sa kanya ‘to, sa kanya talaga ‘to. Tapos kung sakin ‘to, akin ‘to kaya I'll try my best to fight,” he added.

UST struck first through Evan Bacalso, who held his nerve in a tight finish to defeat Miguel Iglupas, 6-4, 7-6(3), in second singles.

Christopher Sonsona followed with a gritty performance, bouncing back from a tight first-set loss to take control and outlast Lance Fernandez, 6(3)-7, 7-6(4), 6-1, in first singles.

After a back-and-forth battle through the opening sets, Sonsona seized momentum in the decider, winning five straight games to secure the victory.