The Varsitarian

TOP-SEEDED opponent? No problem.

The UST Tennisters trounced a strong Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) squad, 2-0, in the Adidas Tennis Challenge 2005 men’s championship last Aug. 29 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Tennis Club Courts in Quezon City.

Thomasian ace netter Maclean Barraquias defeated PUP’s Elbert Anasta, ranked seventh in the country, 8-4, to win the singles finals. Barraquias carried the momentum to the doubles match, where he paired with Jordan Cimafranca to beat PUP’s tandem of Anasta and Iss Sabas, 8-6.

“Top-ranked players make PUP a really strong team, but I was not worried because we have beaten them before,” Tennister coach Karl Santamaria said. UST also won the Philippine Tennis Association Intercollegiate Tournament last October.

On the way to the finals, the Thomasian netters waylaid their counterparts from College of St. Benilde (CSB) in the quarterfinals and downed De La Salle University bets in the semis.

“Pre-season tournaments are important because players gain on-court experience and I get to see their progress, especially the rookies,” Santamaria said.

On the distaff side, the UST Lady Tennisters fell to the CSB Lady Blazers, 0-2, in the women’s finals.

Event officials enforced the pro-set rule, which gives the set to the first team to reach eight points, in the competition sponsored by Milo, Globe Gentxt, and Snickers.