THE ATENEO Men’s Lawn Tennis Team (AMLTT) bowed out to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers Tennis Team in the do-or-die Game 2 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Men’s Tennis Tournament Finals. The close face-off between the AMLTT and the Tigers happened earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in the City of Manila. 

Opening Game 2 of the finals, Jed Olivarez took the stage against UST’s Ericjay Tangub in the first Singles match. Starting strong in the first set, Olivarez took control over Tangub with his powerful baseline and down-the-line shots to snatch the set over his UST foe, 6-3. Unable to keep the momentum on his side, the Blue Eagle mounted errors in the second set to hand Tangub the win, 6-0, and forced a deciding third set. Regaining his rhythm in the third set, Olivarez powered over the Tiger with his aggressive serves and sideline shots. As Tangub was forced to retire due to a leg injury, Olivarez secured the win for Ateneo, 4-1. The win by the Blue Eagle claimed Ateneo’s first team-tie point, 1-0.

Hoping to build off Olivarez’s win, Stef Gurria and JJ Llavore faced UST’s Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan in the first Doubles match. The first set saw a neck-and-neck battle between the Blue and White and the Tigers as both pairs countered each other’s offensive strategies. With the Ateneo duo falling short of a comeback towards the end of the set, UST sealed the first set with a powerful smash, 6-3. Repeating an aggressive performance in the second set, the Tigers bested the Blue Eagles, 6-3. The win by Sonsona and Jaculan equalized the team-tie point at one apiece.

Looking to bounce back from the loss in the previous match, rookie Diego Dayrit squared off against UST’s Nilo Ledama in the second Singles match. The Tiger swiftly dominated the Blue Eagle in the first set with his deep shot placements, 6-0. Repeating a powerful showing in the second set, Ledama closed off Dayrit’s efforts for a comeback, 6-1. The Tigers’ win earned them another team-tie point, 2-1.

Aiming to claim a much-needed win for the Blue and White, Nio Tria and Mik Balce went up against UST’s Red Directo and Geo Serino in the second Doubles match. Tria and Balce swiftly powered through the defensive counters of the UST duo in the first set, 6-3. With a much closer second set, Directo and Serino responded to the hits of the Ateneo duo. Taking advantage of UST’s errors, Ateneo bested the Tigers with their aggressive shots in the second set, 6-3. With the crucial win by the Blue Eagles, the team-tie point is equalized at 2-all.

With the crucial game on the line, veteran Gab Tiamson faced UST’s Sebastian Santos in the third Singles match. Despite finding his rhythm with his slice shots and forehand winners, Tiamson’s comeback efforts were denied by the Tiger in the first set, 3-6. The second set saw a closer battle at the court with Santos and Tiamson responding to each other’s offensive attacks. With momentum on his side, the Tiger claimed the second set over Tiamson, 7-5. Santos’ decisive win secured them the championship after finishing the match with a 3-2 team-tie score.

An impressive season closes for the AMLTT as they conclude the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Tennis Tournament in second place and bring the silver medal home to Katipunan.

Team-tie score: Ateneo – UST: 2-3

First Men’s Singles: Olivarez def. Tangub, 6-3, 0-6, 4-1 (ret.)

First Men’s Doubles: Llavore & Gurria fell to Sonsona & Jaculan, 3-6, 3-6

Second Men’s Singles: Dayrit fell to Ledama, 0-6, 1-6

Second Men’s Doubles: Balce & Tria def. Directo & Serino, 6-2, 6-3

Third Men’s Singles: Tiamson fell to Santos, 3-6, 5-7