THE ATENEO Men’s Tennis Team (AMTT) absorbed another shutout defeat against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 0-5. The Blue Eagles’ penultimate University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 match was held earlier today, March 11, at the Colegio San Agustin Tennis Stadium in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. 

Following this loss, the Blue and White remained at seventh place in the standings with a 0-11 win-loss record. 

At the start of the contest, Vito Singson struggled to find his footing against Allyson Cabanilla, dropping the first set, 1-6. Unable to contain the Red Warrior’s attacks, Singson conceded the first team-tie point in another 1-6 defeat.

Continuing to be hampered by the Red Warriors’ firepower, JD Velez suffered the same fate in the second singles after falling to JB Aguilar, 1-6. Despite managing to claim three games in the second set, the Ateneo veteran was outlasted by Aguilar, 3-6. This result placed the Recto-based unit at a pivotal 2-0 advantage in the team-tie score.

With one loss away from another defeat, Gabby Calilung attempted to shift the tide for the Blue Eagles against Kian Sanchez. However, his bid to control the tempo was immediately shut down in back-to-back sets as the Red Warrior’s aggressive approach proved overwhelming, which resulted in a 2-6 and 0-6 defeat.

The first doubles match saw a similar fate as Ateneo’s JB Cuarto and JC Pabillore absorbing a sweep at the hands of Macoy Suson and RJ Baje. The Katipunan-based duo faltered against their adversary’s myriad of attacks, losing grip of both sets each in a 1-6 fashion. 

In the last match of the day for formalities, Gab Quintana and Lukas Yupangco could not find rhythm against UE’s Dane Palanas and Kent Morales. Failing to capture a game in both sets, 0-6, 0-6, the Blue Eagles ultimately fell to a 0-5 team-tie sweep. 

Hoping to end their campaign with an elusive victory, the AMTT will face the De La Salle University Green Tennisters in their final Season 88 assignment on Saturday, March 14, 7:30 AM at the same venue.

Team-Tie Score:

Ateneo-UE: 0-5

Results:

1. First Singles: Cabanilla (UE) def. Singson (Ateneo), 6-1, 6-1
2. Second Singles: Aguilar (UE) def. Velez (Ateneo), 6-1, 6-3
3. Third Singles: Sanchez (UE) def. Calilung (Ateneo), 6-2, 6-0
4. First Doubles: Suson and Baje (UE) def. Cuarto and Pabillore (Ateneo), 6-1, 6-1
5. Second Doubles: Palanas and Morales (UE) def. Quintana and Yupangco (Ateneo), 6-0, 6-0

Current Standings (W-L):

1. UP Fighting Maroons (8-1)
2. UST Tiger Tennisters (8-2)
3. NU Bulldogs (7-2)
4. UE Red Warriors (7-3)
5. DLSU Green Tennisters (3-7)
6. AdU Soaring Falcons (2-9)
7. ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-11)