LOOKING TO bounce back after their previous loss, the Ateneo Men’s Lawn Tennis Team (AMLTT) secured a hard-fought victory against the National University (NU) Bulldogs in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Men’s Tennis Tournament. The match was held yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in the City of Pasay.
Setting the tone for the Blue and White, JD Velez came out guns blazing as he prevailed over NU’s EJ Tugada in set one, 6-3. Despite winning the first game in set two, Velez would lose momentum by dropping five consecutive games. Tied at 1-1, the Ateneo rookie showed tremendous composure by settling down and bagging another 6-3 victory in set three to take the first team-tie victory.
In the first doubles match, Ateneo’s JJ Llavore and Steff Gurria faced NU’s Angil Balaoing and Vaughn Codilla. After multiple deadlocks and lead changes, the Atenean duo would get swept by their Sampaloc-based counterparts, 4-6 and 3-6 respectively.
Avenging their teammates in the second doubles match, Ateneo’s Nio Tria and Axl Gonzaga displayed unbreakable chemistry against NU’s Abson Alejandre and Gab Bandoquillo after the Blue Eagles managed to squeeze a 6-4 victory in set one. Although proving to be challenging, Tria and Gonzaga cruised past their opponents in set two to sweep NU, 6-0.
With the opportunity to end the game, AMLTT skipper Austin Delos Santos faced Allen Manlangit. Despite spirited efforts, Delos Santos’s struggles halted him from giving Ateneo the win as he conceded both sets, 2-6.
In a high-stakes match decider, Noy Seno’s mettle was tested against NU’s Ibarra Ortega. After losing set one, 4-6, the momentum started slipping away for Seno. However, the Blue Eagle refused to give up as he engaged in a back-and-forth exchange with Ortega. Tied at 6-6, extra sets were added to settle the deadlock. In the extension, Seno would dominate Ortega in commanding fashion, 7-4. The Atenean’s crucial performance not only forced a do-or-die set but also shifted back momentum to the Blue and White.
With both sides not wanting to concede, Seno’s experience played a factor as he found the perfect strategy to edge out Ortega. The Blue Eagle’s 7-5 victory in set three completed the comeback story for Seno.
The hard-fought victory for Ateneo gave them a 4-1 record in the UAAP standings. Hoping to start a new win streak, the Blue Eagles will take on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Saturday, March 2, in the same venue.
Standings:
- UST Male Tennisters: 5-0
- Ateneo Lawn Tennis Team: 4-1
- UE Lawn Tennis Team: 3-2
- NU Bulldogs: 3-2
- UP Fighting Maroons: 2-3
- DLSU Green Tennisters: 1-5
- ADU Soaring Falcons: 0-5
