National University moved closer in completing a successful comeback in the UAAP Season 81 lawn tennis tournament after its men’s and women’s teams made it to the championship round Saturday at the Colegio de San Agustin courts in City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
The Bulldogs booked the first finals’ seat after dethroning University of the East, 3-0, in the league’s first-ever Final Four.
Not to be outdone were the Lady Bulldogs, who outlasted Ateneo, 3-2, in the do-or-die playoff for the last championship berth.
NU will face Ateneo, which clinched a second straight finals’ appearance with a 3-2 decision over University of Santo Tomas in the other semis tie, in the best-of-three series starting Sunday.
The Lady Bulldogs, for their part, will take on De La Salle in the finals starting Sunday.
Wilson Oblea overcame a second-set loss to beat RJ Saga, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, in the second singles to seal the deal for NU.
The Final Four loss ended the Red Warriors’ two-year reign.
Mae Bornia and Alliah Ragunton won the deciding doubles’ match at the expense of Jana Hernandez and Titan Llavore, 6-0, 6-3, to clinch the tie for the Lady Bulldogs, while frustrating the Lady Eagles’ bid to make it to the championship tie.
Ateneo’s men’s squad won’t be denied for another finals’ trip, as Iyo Canlas towed the team for a showdown with NU following a 6-1, 6-4 conquest of Jaffary Cariaga.