NATIONAL University made it four in a row after a 3-0 victory over University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 79 women’s lawn tennis Finals yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
MVP Clarice Patrimonio fashioned out a dominating 6-1, 6-3 win over Erika Manduriao in the second singles to seal the deal for the Lady Bulldogs.
“We are just focused on the game,” said Clarice Patrimonio, who bagged the league’s highest individual honor for the second time in three years.
In her farewell singles’ match, Christine Patrimonio, who like her sister Clarice has won two MVP titles, coasted to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Precian Rivera to give NU the 1-0 lead.
“Nakakalungkot, nasanay ako na kasama si Tin,” said Clarice. “But I guess next year, I’ll try my best.”
The Lady Bulldogs also emerged victorious in doubles, as the pair of Jzash Canja and Apoul Polito defeated Shymae Guitaran and Erika Manduriao, 6-2, 6-0.
Now the second-winningest team behind De La Salle’s seven, NU has won 24 straight ties, which date back to Feb. 2015.
The championship was a great sendoff for the five Lady Bulldogs’ players, led by Christine to their collegiate careers.
“I told them to to make it count, make it memorable,” said coach Karl Santamaria, who also accomplished a four-peat for NU men’s lawn tennis from 2013-16.
Ateneo’s Nicole Amistad, meanwhile, took home the Rookie of the Year honors, the second Lady Eagles player to do so after Jana Pages last season.
Match Wednesday:
(Rizal Memorial Tennis Center)
8 a.m. – UST vs UE (Men Finals)