Ariel Cabaral of National University Nazareth School makes a forehand return to Rafael Lagac of Ateneo de Manila University in the boys’ singles finals of the UAAP Season 88 tennis tournament at Colegio San Agustin in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on Sunday (March 1, 2026). Cabaral won, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3, to snare the inaugural title. (UAAP photo)
Ariel Cabaral of National University Nazareth School etched his name in UAAP history after surviving a tense three-set battle against Rafael Lagac of Ateneo de Manila University, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3, to claim the first-ever boys’ singles title of UAAP Season 88 tennis on Sunday at Colegio San Agustin in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
The 18-year-old from Negros showed poise well beyond his years, rebounding from a shaky opening set before asserting control in the deciding frame to deliver the championship for the NU Bulldogs.
“It means a lot to me because this has been my goal since I was little,” Cabaral said. “My sister Angela was a UAAP player and she won gold, so this is really special for me. Before, it was just a dream — now it has come true.”
Cabaral admitted the pressure nearly got to him early, but faith and patience steadied his game as the match wore on.
“As a first-timer and as a proud NU Bulldog, we became the first UAAP juniors champion. I just trusted God and trusted my shots. I was confused in the first set, but I asked God to guide me, overcame the pressure, and did what I had to do,” he said.
In the boys’ doubles final, University of the East teammates Kobi Luzon and Aser Delos Santos dominated Kyle Saga and Al Tristan Licayan, 6-1, 6-2, to complete a one-two finish for UE.
“We felt less pressure because we knew each other’s game,” Luzon said. “It’s different when you’re actually on the court. We just asked the Lord for guidance and prayed that we would perform well.”
All results will be counted toward the schools’ overall championship tallies.
On the girls’ side, defending champion University of Santo Tomas continued its strong run after overpowering Ateneo, 4-1, to seize the early lead with four wins in five outings.
Last season’s co-Most Valuable Player Kaye Emana set the tone with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Angela Buyante, while Mica Emana added a 6-3, 6-2 win against Casey Padilla. The tandem of Justine Maneja and Christine Gulagula followed with a 6-3, 7-5 triumph over Althea Martirez and Chelsea Roque.
Ateneo avoided a sweep behind Althea Ong’s gritty 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2 comeback against Kaye Mustaza, before Judy Padilla and Princess Nichole Dela Rita wrapped up the tie with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Zaina Omar and Eloh Castolo.
Meanwhile, National University bounced back from its opening-round setback with a dramatic 3-2 victory over De La Salle University.
Adeline Abadia and Rovie Baulete delivered the clincher for the Lady Bulldogs, outlasting Annika Diwa and Guysie Garrido, 7-5, 4-6, 10-6, in a pressure-packed deciding doubles match.
Earlier, NU drew first blood as Elsie Abarquez blanked Bea Gomez, 6-0, 6-0, before La Salle answered through Maikee Vicencio’s 6-2, 6-2 win over AJ Acabo. Juliana Carvajal and Kolin Cornell then swung the momentum back to NU with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Amor Idjao and Chelsea Bernaldez, only for Angeline Alcala to force a rubber match with a 6-3, 6-3 decision against JM Carcueva.
With the win, NU improved to 3-2 to secure third place, while La Salle slid to fourth with a 2-3 record.