IN THEIR final University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 first-round matchup, the Ateneo Men’s Lawn Tennis Team (AMLTT) suffered a tough loss against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 1-4. The contest was held earlier today at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in the City of Manila.
With this setback, AMLTT drops to a 2-4 record in the elimination round, placing them at fifth in the standings.
After an almost three-hour delay due to heavy rain, Ateneo Team Captain Stef Gurria opened today’s intense showdown against UP’s Miguel Iglupas. Still reeling from yesterday’s tough loss, Gurria fought hard to stay in control but struggled to fend off his opponent’s relentless returns. After a tough 1-6 loss in the opening set, the Atenean found himself unable to mount a comeback, as he conceded the second set in similar fashion, 1-6, allowing UP to take the first team-tie.
Team Co-Captain JD Velez then battled Heinz Carbonilla in the second singles matchup as the veteran looked eager to help the Blue Eagles bounce back. Fresh off a win the day before, Velez looked to extend his streak, showing flashes of control and aggression early in the match. However, his opponent quickly retaliated and forced errors to take the first set, 3-6. Despite a hard-fought effort to turn the tide, Velez ultimately fell short in the second set, 0-6, as Carbonilla added another team-tie win for the Fighting Maroons, 2-0.
Newcomer Rafa Mendoza also struggled against UP’s Loucas Fernandez in the final singles match of the day. After getting swept in the first set, the Atenean struggled to find his footing in another shutout loss that officially ended Ateneo’s hopes for a comeback win.
In the first doubles match, JB Cuarto and Aidyll Ignacio faced off against UP’s Andrei Jarata and Ava Mandac. The Blue Eagle pairing started their match strong as they deployed their close-range game, going up 5-1 in the first set. However, the duo failed to fend off their adversaries’ quick counters that stole the set from the Blue Eagles, 5-7.
The Atenean tandem continued to struggle in the second set as their opponents resorted to employing long-range volleys. Unable to respond to the opposition, Cuarto and Ignacio dropped the second set and the match, 2-6.
With one match remaining, JJ Llavore and Gian Camingue went toe-to-toe against UP’s Lance Fernandez and Raymond Goco in a three-set thriller. In the first set, the AMLTT pairing utilized their long-range arsenal, setting up easy smashes near the net to win their first set, 6-4.
Although looking to finish off their adversaries, Llavore and Camingue were stifled as their opponents decided to play from deep and finished the Blue Eagles’ returns with brilliant slices, 6-7.
After dropping the second set, the Loyola Heights-based duo played to their strengths in the deciding frame. Not giving an inch to their UP foes, Llavore and Camingue displayed impeccable defense and shrewd strategy to force their opponents into countless errors. Ultimately, Llavore’s backhand provided the winning point, 10-6, cUltimately, Llavore’s backhand provided the winning point, 10-6, closing out the set and helping Ateneo walk away with a team-tie win despite the team’s overall tough showing.
Finishing their first-round campaign with a three-game slump, tFinishing their first-round campaign with a three-game slump, the Blue Eagles will look to rebound in the second round. Schedules for the remaining games have yet to be announced.
Team-tie score:
Ateneo-UP: 1-4
Results:
First Singles: Iglupas (UP) def. Gurria (Ateneo), 6-1, 6-1
First Doubles: Jarata and Mandac (UP) def. Cuarto and Ignacio (Ateneo), 7-5, 6-2
Second Singles: Carbonilla (UP) def. Velez (Ateneo), 6-3, 6-0
Third Singles: Fernandez (UP) def. Mendoza (Ateneo), 6-0, 6-0
Second Doubles: Llavore and Camingue (Ateneo) def. Fernandez and Goco (UP), 6-4, 6-7, 10-6
Standings (W-L):
- UST Male Tennisters (5-0)
- UE Red Warriors (4-1)
- UP Fighting Maroons (4-2)
- NU Bulldogs (3-1)
- Ateneo Blue Eagles (2-4)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (1-5)
- DLSU Green Tennisters (0-6)
