It all comes down to next week’s date with Kimball.

Weston Ranch’s quest for at least a share of its first Valley Oak League boys tennis title is very much alive after it completed a season sweep of defending champion Manteca High on Monday. The Cougars prevailed 6-3 at the Manteca Regional Tennis Center.

Weston Ranch (9-1) notched its first win over Manteca by a 7-2 margin back on March 19. Weston Ranch is in its 10th season for varsity tennis.

“Manteca is such a tough, well-coached team that I knew it would be nearly impossible to beat them twice in one year,” Weston Ranch coach Jason Furtado said. “Luckily, my guys came out ready to compete and win.

“I’m happy with the win,” Furtado added, “but I see a lot of areas in which we need to improve on if we want to compete for a share of the title.”

Weston Ranch greets Lathrop today, but its April 16 showdown at Kimball will be for the championship. Kimball (10-0) narrowly claimed the first match, 5-4.

Carl Legaspi (6-2, 6-4), Chai Saepharn (6-2, 6-2) and Josh Gonzales (6-2, 6-4) earned straight-set victories for the Cougars on Monday.

Weston Ranch boasted its superior depth in doubles play. Adrian Andrade and Andre Albino pulled out a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 win over Angel Tejada and Andre Wiggins. The No. 2 tandem ofIon Ibiso and Tejpaul Bainiwal (6-4, 6-2) and No. 3 Jesse Nisperos and Andrew Gonser (6-2, 6-2) won more handily.

For Manteca, Mike Lopez coasted past Kevin Yamayoshi 6-1, 6-2 in the top singles contest. Yok-Jing Ma avenged a previous loss to Weston Ranch’s Suhkman Singh, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1. At No. 4 singles, Alex Vasquez edged Raymond Lagoc 6-7, 6-1, 7-6 in what was their second three-set marathon against each other.

“We actually didn’t play that bad today, I think they’re just the better team,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “After all the singles matches were over it was tied 3-all, but their depth has been their strength all year. We have a lot of inexperience at doubles and they were able to take advantage of it.”

Fontana also said his team is “in playoff mode” for the remainder of the dual season. Manteca (6-4) hosts Sonora today and likely will need to win out to clinch the VOL’s third postseason berth for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs.



Sonora 6, Sierra 3

Michael Alcantar dispatched Donald Troung in three sets for Sierra’s lone singles victory.

Jownel Alcantara and Laic Beugre came through at No. 2 doubles, beating Eric Deardon and Shawn Giddings, 6-4, 5-7, 10-4. Sierra’s No. 3 team of Jonathan Weatherby and Enrique Salgado cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 win.