THE ATENEO Blue and Lady Eagles slumped to their first team-tie defeats to National University (NU) and De La Salle University (DLSU) respectively in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 opening day on Wednesday, September 19, at the Quadricentennial Hall in University of Santo Tomas, Manila.

It was a tough opening test for the Blue Eagles as they began their road to glory on the wrong side of a sweep against the three-time defending champions, the NU Bulldogs.
Gavin Ong led the Blue Eagles on board 1, with the remaining 3 boards filled by promising rookies in Vince Edralin, Tristan Cervero, and Alexander Santos. Despite debuting in the UAAP this season, each of the three rookies showed experience beyond their years in their respective matches by not handing the champions an easy victory.

The Lady Eagles’ Captain Jill Feliciano along with teammates Alex Oseña, Merlene Membrere and Laila Nadera donned the Blue and White against the reigning Season 80 champions, De La Salle University, for their first match of the season.

Challenged by a talented roster bolstered by Candidate Master (CM) and Woman Fide Master (WFM) ranked players, the Lady Eagles struggled, winning only one out of their four matches to start their campaign. Rookie Laila Nadera was the sole bright spot for the Lady Eagles, claiming the solitary win on board 4 that ended their match on a positive note.
The Ateneo Blue and Lady Eagles will look to bounce back in their next match on Saturday, September 22, at the Quadricentennial Hall in University of Santo Tomas, Manila.