MANILA – Defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) clinched the first finals berth in the UAAP Season 87 men's tennis after dominating University of the East (UE), 4-1, in the semifinals at Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila on Saturday.

Ericjay Tangub delivered UST's initial point when he conquered Gerald Gemida, 6-1, 6-4, but UE tied after JB Aguilar turned back Sebastian Santos, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Nilo Ledama rallied past Marc Nicole Suson, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2; Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines downed Mark Dave Palanas and RJ Baje, 6-0, 6-2; and Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan sealed the Growling Tigers' win after Kent Morales and Kiz Bryan Cinco retired with UST up, 6-1, 0-2.

“We’re happy because we’re back in the finals again. Nilo [Ledama] went to the third set, so at least we got that. And then in the first doubles, we’re happy because we won that as well," UST coach Alexander Diego said.

UST, which swept UE in the elimination round, awaits the winner of the other semifinal between National University (NU) and University of the Philippines (UP).

Diego said they are preparing thoroughly for either opponent.

“We also know their players [UP and NU], so we’ll see who we’ll be facing there and then ... we will check the lineup. And then usually, we focus on their conditioning, so we’ll maintain ours as well," Diego said.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons survived the Bulldogs, 3-2, to extend their best-of-three series.

"Very happy, overwhelmed if I may say. We fought to live another day. That’s what I can say about today’s game. I think we were down after losing the first singles match. We were down 1-2 and then behind in both sets of the two doubles matches, and we still found a way to win, so I’m very happy with that performance," UP coach Jacob Lagman said.

Andrei Jarata and Karl Miguel saved the day for UP after a 6(3)-7, 6-1, 10-4 victory over Aljon Talatayod and Gab Bandoquillo.

The Fighting Maroons took a 1-0 lead after Miguel Iglupas outplayed Jules Lazaro, 6-4, 6-2.

NU made it 2-1 after Andrei Padao whipped Loucas Fernandez, and EJ Tugade downed Aslan Carbonilla, 6-4, 7-6(3).

UP's Raymund Goco and Lance Fernandez won over Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla, 2-6, 6-3, 10-8, to force the decider. (PNA)