UAAP Round-up: NU batters, netters enter UAAP finals

MANILA, Philippines—National University sustained its surprise run in various sporting fronts as the Bulldogs crashed in the championship round of two UAAP events this week.

The Bulldogs debut in the men’s tennis finals against La Salle, which owns a twice-to-beat edge, at 9 a.m. today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

In baseball, the Bulldogs battle the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a best-of-three finale starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

“It’s an awakening, [it could be] the renaissance for NU, and we are hoping to win,” said NU athletic director Junel Baculi.

The Bulldogs also reached the men’s badminton finals a few months ago, before settling as runner-up to Ateneo.

NU, a cellar-dweller in most sporting events, last captured a crown in the league in men’s chess in 1986.

The volleyball championship also rolls off this Wednesday with defending champion La Salle going up against Ateneo with a daunting thrice-to-beat advantage in the women’s division.

University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, will take on the semifinal winner between Far Eastern University and La Salle in men’s action also at the FilOil-Flying V Arena.

In men’s football, University of the Philippines clashes with UST with the defending champion Maroons only needing to win once in Sunday’s finals.