MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Letran College rode on the heroics of Dave Regencia and Jeffrei Jumawan in the singles for a sweep of San Sebastian College, 3-0, in the Round-of-4 semis of the 87th NCAA lawn tennis tournament last Wednesday.

Regencia, last year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), outlasted the Stags’ Arjohn Dela Cruz in two sets, 6-3, 7-6 in the first singles.

Jumawan defeated Arthur Tapalla, 7-6, 6-3 in the second singles for the Knights’ decisive win.

Regencia later teamed up with doubles specialist Bryan Saarenas to crush San Sebastian’s duo Al-Rashid Manatad and Tapalla, 6-3, 6-3 to complete their conquest of the Stags.

Another win by the Knights will shove them into the Finals and a victory closer to annexing another senior's crown.

CSB thwarts San Beda

College of St. Benilde (CSB), meantime, repulsed San Beda College, 2-1, to keep pace with Letran with a 1-0 mark in the semis.

The Blazers won their single matches in contrasting victories by Larry Antigua and Rolee Joven, but yielded the doubles to the more consistent Red Lions pair of Richard Martinez and Davis Alano.

Antigua sailed past Arjan Cañoza, 6-0, 6-2, while Joven needed three sets to turn back SBC’s Alano, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

SBC’s Martinez and Alano outlasted St. Benilde’s Antigua and Romeo Dimakiling, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to avert a shutout.