MANILA – Defending champion University of Santo Tomas leaned on the heroics of Symon Jaculan and Steven Sonsona to prevail over University of the Philippines, 3-2, in the UAAP tennis tournament on Wednesday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

Jaculan and Sonsona rallied past Andrei Jarata and Ava Mandac, 7-6(3), 5-7, 10-8, in the second doubles match to seal UST's win.

"Our chemistry is good. We avoided to make a mistake, it was a crucial match that we have to win. Everyone is depending on us," Sonsona said in an interview on Thursday. 

Reigning MVP Nilo Ledama beat Heinz Carbonilla, 7-6(3), 6-0, while Ericjay Tangub triumphed over Loucas Fernandez, 7-5, 6-1, to give UST a 2-0 lead.

But UP bounced back, with Miguel Iglupas whipping Sebastian Santos, 6-1, 6-4, and the pair of Raymund Goco and Lance Fernandez turning back Richard Bautista and Nash Agustines, 4-6, 6-4, 10-5, to make it 2-all.

UST secured its second straight win while UP slipped to second place at 2-1.

"The team handled the pressure situation during the crucial points and we're lucky we won the deciding match," UST head coach Alexander Diego said.

National University also won over Ateneo de Manila University, 5-0, to join UP in second place.

Aljon Talatayod routed Rafa Mendoza, 6-0, 6-0; Andrei Padao waylaid JB Cuarto, 6-0, 6-0; EJ Tugade survived JD Velez, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-0; Angil Balaoing and LJ De Jesus outplayed Jean Ignacio and John Gabriel Camingue, 6-3, 6-3; and Gab Bandoquillo and Christian Padilla downed Stefano Gurria and JJ Llavore, 6-3, 7-6(2).

"We deserved the win because we really worked hard before the start of this season. Even if we won the first two singles, we still focused on our goal to win all our matches," Tugade said.

Meanwhile, Adamson registered its first win at the expense of De La Salle University, 4-1.

Adamson's Ramon Bentillo pulled off a 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 win over Yassan Al-Anazi while La Salle’s EJ Geluz downed Herald Aton, 6-1, 6-3, to tie the score at 1-1.

Miecoz Candelasa beat Jose Bernardo, 6-4, 6-1; Nikko Lumahang and Tristan Correos trounced Darwin Cosca and Marcus Guinoo, 6-0, 6-0; and Angelo Rosales and Emmanuel Pedrosa defeated Leyton Portin and Keno Enriquez, 0-6, 6-2, 10-6, as Adamson claimed victory and improved its record to 1-2. (PNA)