The DLSU Lady Tennisters clinched third place after defeating the UP Lady Maroons, 3-2, yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts. After beginning the season with an 0-4 record, the team fought back to win its last two match-ups to guarantee a podium finish in Season 80.
The day began with La Salle’s Mary Alcantara and Anika Silangcruz losing to UP’s Willow Day and Dana Uy in straight sets. Jed Aquino, however, was able to immediately tie it up for DLSU as she defeated Agnes Flores, 6-2, 6-3.
In the other opening singles match, it was UP that was able to earn the lead in the tie, 2-1, after Lady Tennister Kylla Orillosa fell in straight sets to Monica Cortez, 6-2, 6-4.
With no more margin for error, team captain Rachelle De Guzman and the pair of the graduating Nikki Arandia and Jenni Dizon had to win if La Salle wanted to finish with the bronze.
In the doubles match, DLSU easily won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, as the pair overcame the team of UP’s Denise Jimenez and Theresa Tan to tie up the match-up and leave it to the final singles match to determine the victor.
In the deciding match, De Guzman, who entered undefeated in Season 80, was able to defeat UP’s Danielle Carranza to maintain her perfect record and give DLSU the bronze.
With the win, the Lady Tennisters were able to improve from their last place finish in Season 79.
