AFTER a thirty-year wait, the Perpetual Help Junior Altas won the NCAA tennis championship on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court in Vito Cruz, Manila.
Top seed Sherwin Nuguit led Perpetual Help in the singles’ finals, defeating Coby Castillejo of the Mapua Red Robins with a score of 6-0, 6-4.
Simultaneously, Lance Maglaqui and Karl Roi Ricamara dominated Jaf Cunanan and Paeng Villanueva of the Mapua Red Robins in the doubles, 6-3, 6-1, to secure the NCAA title for Perpetual.
ICoach Samuel Nuguit, alongside Dennis Canaria, was a player when the school won Perpetual’s first Juniors’ title under the legendary mentor Pete Custodio in 1995.
Now, coach Nuguit’s son, Sherwin, along with Kale Cyd Villamar, Lance Jayrel Maglaqui, Jor Rodolfo, and Shan Jette Ricamara, have brought the title back to Las Piñas.
“Finally, perseverance paid off. They deserved this championship. It’s great that Sherwin, Lance Maglaqui, and Karl Villamar won the title before graduating from Senior High,” said Nuguit.
In the men’s division, Samuel Reane Nuguit, Shant Raven B. Nuguit, Al Kent Balazo, and Chad Wayne Cantiga of the Altas Acers defeated the Mapua Cardinals in the semifinals.
They are now set to face defending champion College of St. Benilde on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court, with the awarding ceremony following the match.