DEFENDING champion De La Salle University downed University of the East, 4-1, for its second straight victory, even as National University (NU) needed to snatch the last two matches to survive University of Santo Tomas (UST), 3-2, for a winning start in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 75 men’s tennis tournament on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The Bulldogs, who placed second in their initial stint last season, banked the heroics of doubles players Jigo Peña and Leander Lazaro and singles specialist Fritz Verdad to escape with the win.

Peña and Lazaro nipped rookie Randy Delavin and Bernardine Baring, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, in the second doubles, while Verdad edged out Arn Procianos, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, in the decider.

University of the Philippines (UP) defeated Ateneo in the other men’s match, 5-0, for its first win. The Blue Eagles, who lost to the Green Archers in Saturday’s opener, dropped to their second consecutive loss.

The Lady Maroons, third placers last year, defeated the Lady Eagles, 4-1, in the lone women’s tie.