THE ATENEO Men’s Lawn Tennis Team (AMLTT) suffered their first defeat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Lawn Tennis tournament against the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 0-5. The match was held earlier today at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in the City of Manila.
Making his UAAP singles debut, Rafa Mendoza squared off against NU’s Aljon Talatayod in the opening bout. With the Bulldog’s strong counters forcing the Ateneo rookie to work for his points, Mendoza struggled to find any offensive rhythm, dropping both sets, 6-0, and resulting in the first-team tie score for NU.
Fellow newcomer JB Cuarto also suffered the same fate against Andrei Padao in the second singles match. The Blue and Gold skipper controlled the tempo throughout the contest, taking a decisive 6-0 sweep in consecutive sets.
With the Bulldogs one win away from claiming victory, Aidyll Ignacio and Gian Camingue fought valiantly against NU’s Angel Baloing and LJ De Jesus. The Atenean duo displayed stellar chemistry, exchanging rallies with their Jhocson-based counterparts. However, the Blue Eagles failed to sustain this energy in the latter stages of the set, eventually conceding the first frame, 3-6.
Leveraging on their momentum, Balaoing and De Jesus overwhelmed the Blue and White’s rookie pairing with a myriad of attacks to garner another 6-3 victory in the second set. The loss ultimately placed Ateneo at a 0-3 team-tie deficit, denying them a chance at victory.
Still wanting to notch a team-tie for Ateneo, JD Velez traded blows with NU’s EJ Tugade right from the outset of the third singles match. Utilizing their experience from last season, both athletes left it all on the floor, forcing the first set to an extended period after a 6-6 deadlock. However, Tugade’s precision coupled with Velez’s errors allowed the Bulldog to edge out a 7-6 win in the first frame.
Unfazed by the situation, Velez showcased his ability to adapt in the second set. The Blue Eagle’’s powerful attacks turned the tides in his favor as Velez sent the contest into a deciding set with a commanding 6-2 victory.
However, despite his dominance in the previous frame, Velez failed to replicate his performance as Tugade cruised to a 6-0 victory in the third set, handing the Bulldogs their fourth team-tie score.
Looking to conclude on a positive note, Ateneo called on their veteran tandem of Stefano Gurria and JJ Llavore. Although the dynamic duo exhibited great chemistry, they struggled to leverage their heightened synergy against NU’s Gab Bondoquillo and Christian Padilla in the first set, 3-6.
The second set saw a closer exchange between both teams as the Katipunan-based unit found more success in their attacks. Gurria and Llavore’s increased aggressiveness sent the tightly-contested match to another extended set, 6-6.
In the extended period, however, Ateneo’s hopes to force a third set were dashed by picture-perfect shots from Bandoquillo and Padilla, ultimately sealing a 7-6 victory and a 5-0 shutout for the Bulldogs.
The AMLTT will look to bounce back on Saturday, March 1, 7:30 AM, against the De La Salle University Green Tennisters at the same venue.
Team-tie Score:
Ateneo-NU: 0-5
Results:
First Singles: Talatayod (NU) def. Mendoza (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-0
Second Singles: Padao (NU) def. Cuarto (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-0
First Doubles: Balaoing and De Jesus (NU) def. Ignacio and Camingue (Ateneo) – 6-3, 6-3
Second Doubles: Tugade (NU) def. Velez (Ateneo) – 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-0
Third Singles: Bandoquillo and Padilla (NU) def. Gurria and Llavore (Ateneo) – 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
