Letran, Benilde clobber rivals, forge title duel

MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion Letran repulsed San Beda, 2-1, and St. Benilde bested San Sebastian, 2-1, yesterday to arrange a knockout match for the championship in the men seniors’ tennis championship of the 87th NCAA tennis championship at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila. Reigning MVP Dave Regencia again delivered the goods for the Knights, scoring a decisive 6-2, 6-1 win over the Red Lions’ Arjay Cañoza in the first singles. Regencia then joined hands with Bryan Saarenas to turn back Richard Martinez and Davis Alano, 6-4, 6-4, in the doubles. Letran’s two victories cushioned the loss of Jeffrie Jumawan, who yielded the second singles match to San Beda’s Alano, 2-8. The Blazers, meanwhile, leaned on the victories by Larry Antigua in the first singles and the pair of Antigua and Marco Paolo Suntay in the doubles to clinch the victory, with San Sebastian’s Arthur Tafalla gaining the lone win for the Stags via a walkover. In the juniors division, the Squires swept defending champion Red Cubs, 3-0, to practically rule the division.