Rookie Saraza leads Tigers to UAAP men's tennis crown

Kim Ivor Saraza outclassed John Will Baldonado, 6-1, 6-1, in the third and final singles match as University of Santo Tomas completed its back-to-back title bid in UAAP men’s tennis with a 3-2 win over La Salle on Saturday, sweeping the best-of-three championship series at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The rookie Saraza made sure there wouldn’t be any repeat of his Game 1 performance where he needed three sets to dispatch of Baldonado. this time he made sure to give the Tigers their seventh and final men's crown under coach Karl Santamaria, who is stepping down after the season. "Sometimes, when you are very successful, you look for other challenges," said a teary-eyed Santamaria, son of volleyball coaching great Augusto Santamaria. "I hope I was able to provide the winning tradition to the school, and I wish all the success to UST. I will always have UST in my heart," said Santamaria, who also gave UST several women’s tennis titles since taking over the coaching duties in 2001. UST’s Ralph Kevin Barte was named Most Valuable Player for his unbeaten slate after scoring a 6-1, 6-0 win over Ernesto Pantua in the second singles, while Bernan Lou Bering defeated Juan Fidel Regis, 6-1, 6-3, in the first singles match of the day. But La Salle came roaring back in the doubles with Season 73 Rookie of the Year Alberto Villamor and Michael Basco defeating Ryan Montalbo and Gerard Pinili, 6-3, 6-3, while Ed Amor and Pemrick Alina downed Arn Procianos and Bernardine Bering, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. But Saraza proved too much as he bucked a left wrist injury to defeat Baldonado. Saraza hurt his wrist in his first set loss against Pantua in Game 1, but came back in the next two sets to win the match. "The pain was unbearable in Game 1 but it did not hurt this time," said the 18-year-old Saraza, who trained with PHL junior netter Jeson Patrombon during his junior days at the Tennis Academy of the Philippines. - Reuben Terrado, JVP, KY, GMA News