The University of Santo Tomas Female Tennisters kept their UAAP Season 87 women’s tennis championship hopes alive after exacting revenge against the National University Lady Bulldogs, 3-1, on Saturday, April 12, at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center.

NU’s Danna Abad dismantled Female Tennister Debbie Gom-os, 6-4, 6-3, to open the battle and put the Lady Bulldogs up, 1-0.

Rookie of the year Mica Emana’s clash with NU’s Elsie Abarquez was cut short after Abarquez retired due to cramps late in the final set, 7-5, 4-1, to equalize the matchup, 1-1.

The UST pair of Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja followed it up with another win after blowing past Lady Bulldogs JM Carcueva and Kolin Cornell, 6-3, 6-3.

Reigning MVP Kaye Emana sealed the win after Jasmine Jaran was also forced to retire from an ankle injury, 6-4, 6-5, ultimately extending the series.

“They [players] performed [well], talagang all out sila kasi sinabi ko na wala ng bukas pag matalo [kami], so all out yung laro nila today,” UST head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz told TomasinoWeb.

Sta. Cruz also believes that there is one thing that the squad needs to improve.

“Tingin ko [‘yung] mental toughness lang [nila],” he added.

“Parang laruin pa rin nila kung ano nilaro nila today. Same intensity, same determination, same urge. [Dapat] gutom pa rin sila na mag-champion,” said Sta. Cruz.

The Female Tennisters will look to bring the crown back to España ahead of the deciding matchup on Sunday, April 13, in the same venue.