A TOUGH Day 3 welcomed the Blue and White as the team suffered losses at the hands of last season’s finalist, National University (NU) Bulldogs, 1-3, and defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 0-3, respectively, in the continuation of the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Men’s Table Tennis Tournament on Wednesday, November 13, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City. 

Rookie France De Asis was slated in the first match against NU veteran Francis Bendebel, who concluded the opener in three sets, 11-8, 11-6, 11-3. Ateneo Team Captain Mark Parman then faced off against NU’s Marvin Sinchongco in a five-set thriller. The Blue Eagle grabbed the first set at 11-9, but the Bulldog fought back and won the second set at 11-9. The two exchanged rallies in the third set before it ended in Parman’s favor, 11-6. Sinchongco attempted to save the match in the ensuing set, escaping a lengthy fourth set with a 12-10 win. However, Parman came out on top as he notched a 11-6 win in the deciding set to give the Blue Eagles their lone win of the team-tie. 

The Blue Eagles continued to experiment with their doubles matchup pairings as they fielded in yet another pair of players: Sophomore Carlo Chua and senior James Somontina, who played against their NU counterparts Harold Cerelidad and Franz Mogol. Multiple errors and miscommunication haunted the Blue Eagles throughout the match before they lost in straight sets, 5-11, 7-11, 4-11. All eyes were on co-captain Jamie De Asis as he tried to get a win against Romualdo Ramiro in the third singles matchup. De Asis came close, but eventually fell short and also lost in straight sets, 11-13, 7-11, 9-11. 

In the afternoon proceedings, the Blue Eagles suffered the same fate as they dropped their team-tie against the undefeated UST Growling Tigers, 0-3. France De Asis was fielded once again in the first Singles matchup, losing against UST veteran Josh Castro. Parman then dropped his match versus Alvin Sevilla, while Somontina and sophomore Bailey Acidera were limited by their Growling Tiger counterparts Prince Garcia and Mcleen Dizon. 

The Blue and White currently sits with a 1-5 overall record after their pair of losses. Ateneo hopes to conclude the first round of eliminations on a high note by securing a victory against the University of the East Red Warriors on Thursday, November 14, 8:00 AM, at the Blue Eagle Gym, Quezon City. 

Set scores (Ateneo-NU): Ateneo – 1 NU – 3

Set Scores (Ateneo-UST): Ateneo – 0 UST – 3