The Ateneo Men’s Lawn Tennis team showcased yet another breathtaking performance against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, winning 4-1, to maintain their unblemished second-round record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Men’s Lawn Tennis Tournament on Sunday, March 31, at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Stadium in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

Chester Tiongson started off the day for the Blue Eagles in the first singles match against UE’s Ryle Singson. The Atenean lost his footing early on and struggled to keep up with the tempo, eventually succumbing to his Red Warrior counterpart in both sets, 1-6, 1-6, to hand UE the early advantage.

It was the opposite case for the men’s second singles match, however, as Gab Tiamson managed to avenge the first singles loss and level the score at 1-all. The rookie initially started off shaky and dropped the first set, 2-6, against UE’s RJ Saga. Despite the faulty start, Tiamson put on a stellar run and delivered a near double-bagel performance, grabbing the match with a score of 6-1, 6-0.

The tandem of Luke Flores and Erj Gatdula went head-to-head with Jeric Delos Santos and Justin Guira in the men’s first doubles match, exercising their veteran instincts to give the UE pair a tough clash on the court. Having given the first set to the Red Warriors, the duo sparked a comeback and unleashed great serve-and-volley plays, dominating the following sets in convincing fashion, 6-4, 6-2.

Ateneo’s winning momentum continued to prevail as Blue Eagle duo Julian Dayrit and Bong Gonzales duked it out against UE’s Harry Karon and Mark Marquez . The Blue and White tandem exuded their usual confidence as they made quick work of their opponents, eventually outplaying UE in a quick bout, 6-2, 6-1, after errors plagued their Red Warrior counterparts.

Ending the match on a high note, Team Captain Marcen Gonzales sealed the Blue Eagles’ victory after his triumphant heroics in the men’s third singles against UE’s Renz Javier, 6-1, 6-0, exhibited the Blue Eagles’ perennial standard of excellence, marking their ninth consecutive win in the tourney.

Their next match will be against the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), on Saturday, April 6, at the same venue. The Eagles will hold a twice-to-beat advantage as the second seed.

Team-tie score: Ateneo 4 UE 1

Set scores:

First Singles: Singson def. Tiongson (Ateneo), 1-6, 1-6

Second Singles: Tiamson (Ateneo) def. Saga, 3-6, 6-1, 6-0

Third Singles: Gonzales (Ateneo) def. Javier, 6-1, 6-0

First Doubles: Flores and Gatdula (Ateneo) def. Delos Santos and Guira, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

Alejandre and Cero def. Dayrit and Gonzales (Ateneo), 6-2, 3-6, 6-7

Second Doubles: Dayrit and Gonzales (Ateneo) def. Karon and Marquez, 6-2, 6-1

Photo by Reyneal Vargas