Twisted steel and tempered concrete—never before has the Loyola Schools Tennis Complex been described in such a way. Then again, many passersby don’t realize the toll―both physically and psychologically―those two courts can exert on the body.
Fresh faces
Since the first semester began, the Blue and Lady Netters have been hard at work, toiling week in and week out for a strong showing come the UAAP season. With the graduation of La Salle wunderkind and UAAP MVP PJ Tierro, many believed the race for the men’s title was wide open. As is the trend for the past years, the women’s crown is always up for grabs.
Fielding a team composed of last year’s squad and a couple of rookies, the Blue Netters have the game to challenge for the cup. “We were basically looking for players who could add to what we already have,” says Head Coach Jen Saret, “Both teams [from last year] are still intact, so I think we just need to work from there.”
While the basketball program has a surplus of players, tennis receives much less fanfare. The men’s team is made up of ten players, whilst there are an exact seven suiting up for the ladies. It is important to note that in the UAAP, each rubber is composed of five matches―three singles and two doubles. As such, every player plays a vital role.
Promising recruits include the versatile Andre Banate and the baseline-grinding Mark Trinos.
Lacing them tennis shoes
In Season 72, both teams finished with decent records. On paper, Team Ateneo was as strong as the next team. However, something was missing.
“They already have the skill,” continues Saret, “minsan lang, bumibigay talaga sa kondisyon (but sometimes, they come up short in terms of conditioning).”
As a result, training this year has been more intense. While the number of on-court practice sessions has remained relatively the same, the coaching staff has dedicated entire days purely for endurance and fitness exercises. Of course, some players go beyond what is expected.
“The best way I could contribute is to be the best player I could be, and I knew physical fitness-wise, I could still improve,” says team captain Ayo Canlas.
True enough, with majority of the season behind them, most of their difficulties come from chasing down balls. Some players though, have shown that they can keep up with the demanding grind for hours on end―most notably, counterpuncher Julius Lagman and powerhouse Michelle Pang.
Larger than the need to condition however, is the need for composure and endgame brilliance. According to Canlas, “The team is strong already―very strong. We just have to show what we’re really made of during matches.”
The Blue and Lady Netters may lack experience, but the desire and heart to win will always be there. Nonetheless, in order to gain and get used to the “big match” atmosphere such as in the UAAP, players have to continually compete in the local competitive circuit. But in the Philippines, such opportunities are few and far apart.
Luck of the draw
In UAAP tennis, just like badminton, match-ups are dependent upon the lineups submitted at the beginning of each game. Since a game is composed of five matches—three single, two doubles—each coach makes a line up assigned to each match, not knowing the other team’s lineup.
“There’s really nothing we can do,” contemplates Saret, “The matchups are random and sometimes my best player competes with their worst player, and that’s just how it is.”
At least twice this season, Team Ateneo could have won if only the draw went their way. Even so, the Blue and Lady Netters are still in the thick of things.
Game, set, match
Next year will be tougher but hopefully, more exciting. Ayo Canlas, Klentz Chua and Leyan Moncera will be heading out the door, and joining them will be Michelle Pang and Ivy de Castro of the women’s team. Amid the exodus of key contributors, Season 74 will be one to behold.
With the end of the season, there is nothing these men and women have to answer to. For two months, they fought under the blistering sun and put their hearts on their sleeves for the Blue and White. In the end, that is all we could really ask for.
For the Blue and Lady Netters, that giant cage beside the College Covered Courts is their home, and anyone brave enough to tough it out is more than welcome to give their best shot.
Photos by: Migi Soriano
