IN THEIR first contest in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Men’s Tennis tournament, the Ateneo Men’s Lawn Tennis Team were outclassed by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in five matches, 1-4, on February 3, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.
The first singles match featured Blue Eagle Marcen Gonzales against DLSU Team Captain Kyle Parpan. Parpan finished the match in dominating fashion, closing out the game in just two sets, 6-1, 6-2. Meanwhile on center court, the Blue and White tandem of co-captain Anton Punzalan and Season 79 Rookie of the Year Julian Dayrit met their match against the pair of Hans Asistio and Raph Teng. The thrilling match ended in two sets as Punzalan and Dayrit held off a late game run by La Salle, 7-5, 7-6 ,(6-3 tiebreaker). This was the lone victory Ateneo secured in their Season 80 debut.
As the first two matches unfolded, Blue Eagle Cenon “Bong” Gonzales found himself leading in the first set, 4-1, against Green Archer Betto Orendain. However, this lead was short-lived as Orendain’s veteran instincts allowed him to take the first set, 7-5. Orendain continued his relentless approach to earn DLSU’s second victory in the team-tie. Gonzales, Ateneo’s lone rookie, dropped the game in straight sets, 5-7, 3-6.
With DLSU leading 2-1 at this point in the team-tie, the burden of forcing a deciding game five match was placed upon the Ateneo duo of LA Flores and Erj Gatdula. After losing the first set, 6-7, errors began to riddle Flores and Gatdula who were outplayed by DLSU’s Qoqo Allian and Jonah Cano in the second set, 1-6. The result signified the matchday victory for DLSU, who boasted a 3-1 score in the team-tie.
The fifth and final match of the day was a gruelling battle between Green Archer LA Cañizares and Ateneo Team Captain Ino Canlas. Things began to look bright for Cañizares in the first set, firing off an imposing 6-1 result against Canlas. In true veteran fashion, the Ateneo captain was able to keep his cool and take the second set, 6-1. After numerous exciting rallies in the third set, Canlas’ efforts fell short, eventually losing the match, 1-6, 6-1, 3-6.
Despite going down to a record of 0-1, Ateneo Coach Gee Abacan mentioned the need to quickly move on from their opening day result. “We need to learn from our mistakes,” he said. “Nothing will change. Win or lose, nothing will be demoralized. We will keep on practicing.”
Day 2 of the UAAP Men’s Tennis tournament will be on Sunday, February 4 at 12:00 NN at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila against the reigning champions, the University of the East (UE).
Team-Tie and Set Scores
ADMU-DLSU: 1-4
First Men’s Singles: (M. Gonzales vs. Parpan): 1-6, 2-6
Second Men’s Singles: (C. Gonzales vs. Orendain): 5-7, 3-6
Third Men’s Singles: (Canlas vs. Cañizares): 1-6, 6-1, 3-6
First Men’s Doubles: (Dayrit and Punzalan vs. Asistio and Teng): 7-5, 7-6, (6-2 tiebreaker)
Second Men’s Doubles: (Flores and Gatdula vs. Allian and Cano): 6-7, 1-6
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