THE ATENEO Blue and Lady Eagles faced the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the University of the Philippines (UP), respectively, in the University Athletic Association of the Phiilippines Tennis Tournament on February 26 in Rizal Memorial Tennis Court, Manila.

The Blue Eagles

The Blue Eagles finally broke their losing streak by garnering the win in the team-tie against UST, 3-2, putting them at a 2-3 record in the elimination round of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Lawn Tennis tournament.

Ino Canlas faced UST’s Dave Mosqueda in the first singles match. The Blue Eagle captain’s steady play saw him through the match in straight sets (6-3, 6-2). In the second singles match, Blue Eagle Marcen Gonzales found himself down by two break points at 0-4 against Clarence Cabahug in the first set. However, Gonzales climbed back to take the set, 6-4, and completed the comeback with a 6-2 win in the second set. The third singles match saw Vernon Huibonhoa take on Nico Lanzado where the latter controlled the match as the Growling Tiger took the win (2-6, 2-6).

Erj Gatdula and Luke Flores suited up for the first doubles match where they faced Bernlou Bering and Joel Cabusas. Despite keeping pace with the UST pair, the Blue Eagle duo were unable to recover from crucial breaks of serve as they lost, 3-6, 4-6.

In the second doubles match, Anton Punzalan and Julian Dayrit once again played in the deciding match of the tie. Both teams exchanged games until Warren Lagahit and En-En Lopez converted a crucial break point that won the Espana-based side the first set, 5-7. The Blue Eagle duo bounced back, however, breaking twice early on that saw them through the second set, 6-4. The Blue Eagle duo broke serve early in the third set that saw them prevail despite increased pressure from UST on the former’s serve. The pair went on to take the set, 6-4, ending round one for the Blue Eagles with a win.

The Lady Eagles

The Lady Eagles continue to strive for a win in the league, but the close match against the Lady Maroon resulted another loss, 2-3. This puts them at the bottom of the standings with a record of 0-3 in the UAAP Women’s Tennis tournament.

In the first singles match, rookie Nicole Amistad gained a first set win after outlasting Lady Maroon Nicole Eugenio in a tiebreak, 7(7)-6(3). She would falter in the succeeding sets, however, where Eugenio’s steady play earned her a 7-6, 1-6, 1-6 win.

Meanwhile, second singles player Jana Pages disposed of Dane Carranza in 2 sets, 6-2, 6-1. On the other hand, first doubles pair Jana Hernandez and Jessica Agra comfortably recorded a 6-3, 6-0 win against Dana Uy and Monika Banez.

Second doubles pair Rocio Climent and Alexis McLean started well with a 2-0 lead. However, they surrendered their lead in the first set and eventually dropped the match, 4-6, 3-6 to UP pair Denise Jimenez and Monica Cortez.

With the matchup tied at two wins each, third singles player Krizhelle Sampaton extended to a third set after bouncing back from a first set loss. Despite Sampaton’s solid ground strokes, UP’s CJ Valdez stood like a wall, steadily returning balls and waiting for the Lady Eagle veteran to commit mistakes. While both players exchanged breaks of serve, Valdez came out on top, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6.

The Lady Eagles will have another chance to break their barren run on Wednesday, March 1, 12NN, where they are scheduled to face De La Salle University at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts.

Blue Eagles

Scores: (Ateneo – UST)

1st singles: 6-2, 6-3

2nd singles: 6-4, 6-2

3rd singles: 2-6, 2-6

first doubles: 3-6, 4-6

second doubles: 5-7, 6-4, 6-4

Lady Eagles

Scores: (Ateneo- UP)

1st singles: 7(7)-6(3), 1-6, 1-6

2nd singles: 6-2, 6-2

3rd singles: 4-6, 6-4, 3-6

1st doubles: 6-3, 6-0

2nd doubles: 4-6, 3-6

The Blue Eagles finally break their losing streak, defeating UST, 3-2, while the Lady Eagles remain winless, as they lose to UP, 2-3.