THE ATENEO Blue Netters opened Season 75 of the UAAP Men’s Tennis Tournament with a loss against defending champions De La Salle University (DLSU), 4-1, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

It was a disappointing debut for new head coach Rollyto Litang, whose team was pummeled by the vaunted DLSU squad.

The lone win came from the singles match with ace Andrei Banate defeating De La Salle’s Kyle Cordero, 2-0. The match began with Cordero saving three break points, taking the first game with a passing shot on the last of the break points. Banate, however, quickly countered and raced ahead with a 2-1 Ateneo lead, courtesy of aggressive play.

The former Colegio de San Agustin star showed his own patient defensive style, which countered most of Banate’s shots, leading to several forced errors. Cordero took a 3-2 lead in the first set of game two. Gaining momentum, Banate broke serve right after and took the set, 6-3.

Banate raced off to a 3-0 game lead in the second set through long rallies and the advantage of a broken serve. DLSU finally stopped the momentum with a drop shot off a let cord to finally come within striking distance at 3-2.

Both netters went back and forth, with Banate showing off his patented drop shot and Cordero with his patient counters. The set was tied at 4-4 when Banate finally shook loose with a renewed aggression on the volley as well as breaking serve, taking the set, 6-4 and winning the match.

La Salle dominated the rest of the morning, winning the remaining four matches. The pairings of Gio Bilog and Johann Exconde, and Louie Macalino and Gerard San Juan, were not enough to stop the DLSU tandems Villamor and Sy, and Alina and Amor, respectively. Both doubles matches ended with identical match scores of 6-0 and 6-1.

The singles matches of Joaquin Paras and Mark Trillio both ended at 6-0 and 6-0, against La Salle’s Regis and Pantuo.

The next game of the Blue Netters will be held again at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court on Saturday, January 19, 9:00 AM.