UNIVERSITY of the East drew the best from its doubles pair of Paulo Baran and Jeric delos Santos to beat University of Santo Tomas and capture its first-ever men’s title in the UAAP Season 79 lawn tennis championship tie Wednesday.
The Red Warriors completed a date with destiny with a series-clinching 3-1 conquest of the Growling Tigers at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Baran and Delos Santos rallied from a 0-5 hole in the deciding set of the second doubles match to outlast Bernlou Baring and En-En Lopez, 6-7, 6-2, 7-5.
Tournament MVP AJ Lim put up a clinic, taking down Jose Francis Suazo in an emphatic 6-0, 6-0 first singles win to put the Warriors ahead.
RJ Saga and Rogelio Estaño then survived the two and a half hour first doubles match against Clarence Cabahug and Joel Cabusas 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 to give UE a 2-0 lead.
UST extended the tie after Dave Mosqueda carved out a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 win over Dolfo Barquin to cut the deficit to 1-2.
The Rookie of the Year award went to Ateneo’s Jose Julian Dayrit.