THE ATENEO Men’s Lawn Tennis Team extended their remarkable four-game winning streak in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Lawn Tennis tournament against fierce competitors, De La Salle University (DLSU) on Sunday, February 25, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.
Compared to their previous encounter with the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the day’s matches were evenly laid out.
“In a way we’re a bit lucky because the [matchups] were what I wanted,” mentioned Coach Gee Abacan in reference to that day’s lineups.
The second of the first two singles matches was a grudge match between Marcen Gonzales and rival Betto Orendain of DLSU. Previously defeated in the same matchup during Season 79, the veteran Blue Eagle redeemed himself against his rival, winning the game in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, to put Ateneo up by one in the team-tie score.
The first singles was arguably the day’s main event, featuring a dream matchup between the team captains of both schools, as Ateneo captain Ino Canlas took on Kyle Parpan of DLSU. The first set was a dominant display for Canlas, who forced several errors to easily take the set, 6-2.
In need of a spark, the Green Archer fired off an impressive 5-0 lead in the second set, which ended in La Salle’s favor, 6-2. The match came down to the wire, as both captains engaged in a clinical third set showdown which gripped the emotions of the spectators of both sides. Finding himself trailing 3-4 in the final set, Canlas executed a masterful return, which proved to be a hugely effective counter against the hard-hitting Parpan.
In an amazing turn of events, capped off by sheer toughness and adept perseverance, Canlas rallied back three straight games to deliver Ateneo’s second win in the tie (6-2, 2-6, 6-4).
Rookie Bong Gonzales was fielded in alongside Julian Dayrit as a substitute for doubles specialist Anton Punzalan, who injured his wrist during the events of the previous day. The newfound tandem blitzed to a 5-4 lead in the first set over Qoqo Allian and Jonah Cano before eventually dropping the set, 6-7. Despite eventually losing the match, 6-7, 4-6, Coach Abacan expressed his satisfaction with the way the duo played.
“We needed to change the lineup. We tried to play Bong play doubles—which [turned out] to be good. In fact, it was their first time to pair up.”
Vernon Huibonhua took the court for the third singles match, a role which belonged to the rookie Gonzales for the whole season so far. His Season 80 debut was quickly spoiled however by singles expert LA Canizares, who abruptly ended the match with a score of 6-0, 6-1.
For the third straight time in a row, the pivotal match was handed on to rising stars Luke Flores and Erj Gatdula who were set to take on Hans Asistio and Raph Teng of DLSU. After holding on to a 7-5 win in the first, the sensational duo never looked back, clinching the win in two sets, 7-5, 6-4.
Ateneo’s victory propels them to a 4-2 record, placing them just below the University of the East’s (UE) unblemished 6-0 slate. Despite inching closer towards a finals berth, the team remains focused in dispatching their next opponent, the University of the Philippines (UP) on March 3, 8:30 AM, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.
“We need to beat UP. If we beat UP, most probably we’ll be in the finals. We’ll really prepare for them. I know they’re still winless, but they’re still a dangerous team,” Coach Abacan mentioned.
Team-tie Score
Ateneo 3 DLSU 2
Set Scores
First Singles: Ino Canlas (Ateneo) def. Kyle Parpan (DLSU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
Second Singles: Marcen Gonzales (Ateneo) def. Betto Orendain (DLSU), 6-4, 6-1.
Third Singles: LA Canizares (DLSU) def. Vernon Huibonhua (Ateneo), 6-0, 6-1.
First Doubles: Qoqo Allian and Jonah Cano (DLSU) def. Julian Dayrit and Bong Gonzales (Ateneo), 7-6, 6-4.
Second Doubles: Luke Flores and Erj Gatdula (Ateneo) def. Hans Asistio and Raph Teng (DLSU), 7-5, 6-4.
