IN THEIR seventh matchup, the Ateneo Women’s Lawn Tennis Team succumbed to a 1-4 loss to the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs earlier today at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in the City of Manila.

This defeat puts the Blue Eagles at a 1-6 win-loss record at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Women’s Lawn Tennis Tournament.

First-year Atenean Chelsea Roque commenced today’s action with the first singles match, up against NU’s Adeline Abadia. Much like their matchup in the first round, the Blue Eagle’s aggressive hits allowed her to hold her own against Abadia, but the Lady Bulldog kept her composure and sealed a 6-3 victory. The NU skipper would then build on her momentum to secure the second set, 6-2.

Looking to avenge her fellow rookie, Zaina Omar teamed up with Tricia Howard to take on Angela Cabaral and Rovie Baulete in the first doubles match of the day. In the opening chapter, the Lady Bulldogs overwhelmed the Atenean couplet with their flurry of quick hits to nab the win, 6-0. Despite withstanding their opponents’ returns, Omar and Howard would yield the second set with a 2-6 scoreline.

Returning to singles action, Faye Dizon squared off against Lady Bulldog Elizabeth Abarquez. The first canto saw a back-and-forth exchange, with multiple deadlocks leading to a 6-6 scoreline. However, Dizon failed to sustain her momentum as she dropped the first set, 6-7. In the second set, Abarquez would make quick work of her opponent with an offensive onslaught, 6-1, sealing an early win for NU via a 3-0 team-tie advantage.

The Atenean duo of Mariam Garsin and Althea Martirez were next to take the court against Alyssa Bornia and Julliana Carvajal. In a heated exchange, the Blue Eagles strung hard-hitting attacks, weathering the storm from their opponents to force a tiebreaker, 6-6. However, the Lady Bulldogs would come out on top, winning at 7-6. In the second chapter, Garsin and Maritez continued their gallant stand but ultimately dropped the set, 3-6.

For the final singles match, Team Captain Althea Ong took on Jessica Carcueva. In the first set, the veteran showcased her offensive prowess, securing victory in dominant fashion, 6-0. In the second set, Ong continued her stellar performance to prevent a 5-0 team-tie sweep by NU, winning the second canto, 6-3.

The Blue Eagles look to return to the win column against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the second installment of the Battle of Katipunan. The match will be held on Saturday, March 16, 7:30 AM at the same venue.

Team-Tie score: Ateneo-NU: 1-4

First Women’s Singles: Roque defeated by Abadia, 3-6, 2-6

First Women’s Doubles: Howard and Omar defeated by Cabaral and Baulete, 0-6, 2-6

Second Women’s Singles: Dizon defeated by Abarquez, 6-7, 1-6

Second Women’s Doubles: Garsin and Martirez defeated by Bornia and Carvajal, 6-7, 3-6

Third Women’s Singles: Ong def. Carcueva, 6-0, 6-3

Current Standings (W-L)

NU Lady Bulldogs (6-0)

UST Female Tennisters (5-1)

UP Fighting Maroons (3-3)

ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-6)

DLSU Lady Tennisters (1-6)