THE ATENEO Blue Netters’ hopes of ending the first round of Season 75 with a win were not realized as they were swept by University of Santo Tomas (UST), 5-0, last Saturday, January 26, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
UST took the first singles match with Joel Cabusas taking a swift 6-0, 6-1 win against Ateneo’s Joaquin Paras. Gio Bilog and Johann Exconde tried to gain some momentum on the first doubles match for the Netters as they gave a valiant effort against UST’s Randy Delavin and Bernaroine Berang. The Katipunan-based pair’s efforts fell short, however, as they lost with scores of 6-3 and 6-2.
The second singles match was perhaps the highlight of the day, with Ateneo ace Andre Banate squaring off against the top-ranked UAAP tennis player RK Barte. Both men dueled it out until finally, the UST Netter and Season 73 Most Valuable Player won the battle, 6-1 and 6-3.
The second doubles match featured UST’s Francis Patiño and Bernan Bering facing off against Ateneo’s Mark Trinos and Luis Macalino. Despite a close first match, Ateneo still couldn’t defeat the UST pair. The bout ended with a loss, 7-5 and 6-1.
The last match of the day was of Ateneo rookie freshman Tak Reyes going against Francisco Santos of the UST Tennisters. Unfortunately, Santos took a swift victory, 6-0 and 6-1.
The game marks the conclusion of the first round. The second round of the UAAP tennis tournament will resume on February 6, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
