In a do-or-die matchup against the National University (NU) Bulldogs on Tuesday, April 9 at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Stadium, the Ateneo Blue Eagles only needed three matches to extend the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Men’s Lawn Tennis Finals to a third team-tie.
Ateneo Team Captain Marcen Gonzales started things off in the first singles against NU’s Allen Manlangit. Although it resulted in a straight-set victory, Gonzales needed two hours to dispose of his counterpart, 6-4, 6-4.
In the first doubles match, Luke Flores and Erj Gatdula faced Jeric Accion and Justine Prulla. Both tandems struggled to consolidate break points until a timely hold from the Ateneo duo secured the first set, 7-5.
A crucial hold secures the first set, 7-5. #UAAPTennis pic.twitter.com/vqvdQrWFcr
— Chino Reyes (@Chino_TheGUIDON) April 9, 2019
Despite another close affair in the second set, Flores and Gatdula took the second set and the match in a flawless hold of serve, 6-4.
A love-game seals the match for Flores and Gatdula, 7-5, 6-4. #UAAPTennis pic.twitter.com/dOel7gMdPj
— Chino Reyes (@Chino_TheGUIDON) April 9, 2019
Hoping to seal the team-tie victory, Gab Tiamson squared off against Jeremiah Latorre. The Blue Eagle rookie was outlasted in the first set tiebreak, 6(1)-7, before recovering in the second set, 6-4. Despite bouts of cramps hampering his performance in previous matches, Tiamson powered on and closed out the victory, 6-3, and the team-tie.
With this win, the Blue Eagles force a deciding matchup for the UAAP Men’s Lawn Tennis crown at 8:00 AM on Saturday, April 13 at the same venue.
Photo by Jason Mariano
