FRESH OFF a win in their last matchup, the Ateneo Men’s Lawn Tennis Team (AMLTT) copped another victory against the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 3-2, earlier today at the Felicismo Ampon Tennis Center in the City of Manila.

As it stands, the Blue Eagles have moved up to the top of the standings with a 7-1 record at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Men’s Lawn Tennis Tournament. The current second-placers University of Santo Tomas (UST) Male Tennisters (6-1) will attempt to retake first place in their matchup against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons later at 2:30 PM.

The Katipunan-based unit kicked off today’s games with Austin Delos Santos going up against NU’s Benedict Santiago in the first singles match. The Atenean’s aggressive returns allowed him to nab the first set, 6-2. Despite facing an early 0-2 deficit in the second canto, Delos Santos was able to string together impressive strategies to bring the set to two consecutive deadlocks, 4-4 and 5-5. However, his comeback bid was thwarted by Santiago who powered through with aggressive attacks to win, 7-5. 

In the third set, both players went on a back-and-forth exchange, eager to test each other’s mettle. With the score tied at 4-all, Delos Santos delivered scathing hits to seal the win for the Blue and White, 6-4.

Meanwhile, the second single’s match saw Noy Seno take on EJ Tugade, who took control early in the first set, 1-4. Facing a massive deficit, the Blue Eagle kept his composure and unleashed a flurry of hard-hitting returns, 6-6, forcing the set to a tiebreaker. Building on his momentum, Seno took charge with winning tactics and completed the comeback victory, 7-6. Coming off his thrilling win in the first frame, the Atenean would continue to dominate his opponent in the second set, finishing with a 6-0 scoreline.

Over to doubles action, couplet of Nio Tria and Axl Gonzaga went upagainst Angil Balaoing and Allen Manlangit. In both sets, the Blue Eagles showcased their offensive prowess, making quick work of their opponents with scores of 6-1 and 6-3, respectively. 

In the penultimate match of the day, AMLTT skipper Jonelle Llavore teammed up with Stefano Gurria to take on Ibarra Ortega and Gab Bandoquillo in the final doubles match of the morning. The first canto saw the Atenean duo jump to an early 2-0 advantage, but the Sampaloc-based pairing quickly recovered, knotting the set at 4-4. Ortega and Bandoquillo’s adjustments would prove to be the difference as they took the first set, 6-4. 

In the second set, the Blue Eagles faced a 1-4 gap from their opponents. However, much like their fellow teammate Noy Seno, Llavore and Gurria utilized their quickness and scintillating hits to nab a come-from-behind victory in the second set, 6-4. Despite trading hits early in the final set, the Atenean duo could not sustain their momentum as they fell to their Sampaloc-based counterparts, 2-6.

Capping off today’s matchup was JD Velez squaring off against NU’s Julez Lazaro. In the first set, the Atenean rookie valiantly withstood his opponent’s attacks, but ultimately yielding at 3-6. However, Velez responded with a superb showing in the second set with powerful returns, 6-1. The third set saw a headed battle in the early going, eventually favoring Lazaro who retooled his strategies and nabbed the victory for the Bulldogs, 6-3.

The Blue Eagles will look to continue their winning ways as they return to action tomorrow against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tennisters at 2:30 PM at the same venue.

Team-Tie score: Ateneo-NU: 3-2

First Men’s Singles: Delos Santos def. Santiago, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4

First Men’s Doubles: Tria and Gonzaga def. Balaoing and Manlangit, 6-1, 6-3

Second Men’s Singles: Seno def. Tugada, 7-6 (7), 6-0

Second Men’s Doubles: Llavore and Gurria defeated by Ortega and Bandoquillo, 4-6, 6-4, 2-6

Third Men’s Singles: Velez defeated by Lazaro, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6

Current Standings (W-L)

ATENEO Blue Eagles (7-1)

UST Male Tennisters (6-1)

UE Red Warriors (6-2)

NU Bulldogs (5-4)

UP Fighting Maroons (3-5)

DLSU Green Tennisters (1-7)

AdU Soaring Falcons (0-8)