WITH SEVEN losses in a row, the Ateneo Men’s Tennis Team faltered against the National University (NU) Bulldogs in a 1-4 defeat. The match occurred earlier today, March 1, at the Colegio San Agustin Tennis Stadium in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
The Blue Eagles’ cold spell places the Katipunan-based tennisters last in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Tennis Tournament standings.
The game day opened with Blue Eagle JC Pabilorre facing off against Bulldog Andre Padao. With his opponent playing aggressively, Pabilorre struggled to contain his adversary’s offense, losing the first set, 0-6. The Blue Eagle attempted to match his counterpart’s relentless pace, but failed to answer as he conceded the first match of the day, 1-6.
Looking to avenge Pabilorre’s defeat, JD Velez represented the Blue and White against NU’s Kristopher Espinosa. Velez made quick work of his opponent, using power on his forehand to achieve victory in the first set, 6-2. In similar fashion, the team captain continued to showcase his impeccable offensive prowess, using his excellent forehand to win the second set, 6-2.
Blue Eagle Lucas Yupangco looked to break the deadlock in the next singles bout against Bulldog Isaac Lim. In the first set, Yupangco entered an early deficit, unable to contain his opponent’s drives, 0-6. Yupangco attempted to raise momentum on his side in the second set, but Lim remained relentless on the court, 2-6.
Down one in the team-tie matchup, the Blue Eagle duo of Gabby Calilung and Gab Quintana faced off against Alexis Acabo and Angil Balaoing. Calilung and Quintana conceded the first set, struggling to match their opponent’s speed, 0-6. Eager to win the next set, the Katipunan-based duo fought furiously to give their team a lifeline, but ultimately faltered, 1-6.
The last match of the day was the Atenean duo of Vito Singson and JB Cuarto up against Bulldogs Jules Lazaro and Miguel Vicencio. From the first set, Singson and Cuarto had difficulty returning their opponent’s attacks, resulting in a loss set, 1-6. Singson and Cuarto ended the final set of the day with a 2-6 defeat after committing multiple faults.
Looking to avenge their defeat, the Blue Eagles will look to achieve victory against University of Santo Tomas Tiger Tennisters. The match will take place Wednesday, March 4, 7:30 AM, at the same venue.
Team-tie score:
Ateneo-NU: 1-4
Results:
First Singles: Padao (NU) def. Pabilorre (Ateneo), 6-0, 6-1
Second Singles: Velez (Ateneo) def. Espinosa (NU), 6-2, 6-2
Third Singles: Lim (NU) def. Yupangco (Ateneo), 6-0, 6-2
First Doubles: Acabo and Baloing (NU) def. Quintana and Calilung (Ateneo), 6-0, 6-1
Second Doubles: Lazaro and Vicencio (NU) def. Singson and Cuarto (Ateneo), 6-1, 6-2
Current Standings (W/L)
- NU Bulldogs (6-1)
- UP Fighting Maroons (5-1)
- UST Tiger Tennisters (5-2)
- UE Red Warriors (5-2)
- DLSU Green Tennisters (2-5)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (1-6)
- Ateneo Blue Eagles (0-7)
