THE ATENEO Lady Eagles defeated the University of the Philippines (UP), 4-1, in Day 4 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Lawn Tennis tournament on Sunday, February 25, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.

In the first singles match, rookie Martina Bautista prevailed in a trial by fire to earn her first singles win against UP’s Theresa Tan. After a comfortable 6-3 first set win, Tan rallied and served for the second set at 4-5. “I was a bit nervous,” the Assumption College alumna admitted. “But I just really kept thinking, ‘fight,’ and just focus on every point.”

With her well-timed forehand attacks, however, Bautista forced a tiebreak where she battled tooth and nail for a gutsy 7-1 win to take the match, 6-3, 7(7)-6(1). Meanwhile, Khrizelle Sampaton made quick work of Danielle Carranza, and brought Ateneo up in the team-tie with a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 win in the second singles match.

The first doubles match marked the only blemish for the Blue and White as Nicole Amistad and Jana Hernandez faced Willow Day and Dana Uy, the only pair to escape round one’s tie against the Lady Eagles with a win. The UP duo looked confident to do so again as they took a 6-4 first set win. Day and Uy’s aggressive sprints to the net and their ambitious volleys ultimately handed the Lady Eagle pair their first loss of the season, 6-4, 6-3.

Jana Pages, who usually plays singles, returned to the doubles court with Annika Mallari. They were pitted against the tandem of Monica Cortez and Denise Jimenez. The Lady Eagles made quick work of their UP counterparts, securing the team-tie with their 6-3, 6-0 win.

Rookie Carmen So snagged Ateneo’s fourth win in the tie as her double-fisted forehand controlled UP’s Agnes Flores and kept the Lady Maroon at bay. The Lady Eagle’s 6-0, 6-3 win capped off a strong showing from the Lady Eagles, as they took a 4-1 victory against their Katipunan rivals.

This win puts the Lady Eagles at a win-loss record of 3-1 in the elimination round of the UAAP Lawn Tennis tourney and cements their place at second behind last year’s finalists from University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The Lady Eagles will face De La Salle University (DLSU) at 8:00 AM next Sunday, March 4, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.

Team Tie Score

Ateneo 4 UP 1

Match Scores

First singles: Martina Bautista (Ateneo) def. Theresa Tan (UP) 6-3, 7(7)-6(1).

Second singles: Khrizelle Sampaton (Ateneo) def. Danielle Carranza (UP) 6-1, 6-1.

Third singles: Carmen So (Ateneo) def. Agnes Flores (UP) 6-0, 6-3.

First doubles: Willow Day and Dana Uy (UP) def. Nicole Amistad and Jana Hernandez (Ateneo) 6-4, 6-3.

Second doubles: Annika Mallari and Jana Pages (Ateneo) def. Monica Cortez and Denise Jimenez (UP) 6-3, 6-0.