THE ATENEO Men’s Lawn Tennis Team (AMLTT) powered through the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tennisters, 4-1, earlier today in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Men’s Lawn Tennis tournament. The Blue and White were victorious in a total of four matches—three Singles matches and one Doubles match—at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in the City of Manila. 

Veteran Jed Olivarez started strong for the Blue and White in the first Singles match against DLSU’s Fernando Po. Olivarez’s powerful serves and aggressive hits notched him the first set over the Green and White, 6-1. With the momentum on his side, Po only secured two points before handing the win to Olivarez, 6-2 in favor of the Blue Eagles.

[First Men’s Singles]

Olivarez closes the first matchup of the day with a win, holding DLSU down to only three points in two sets!

Ateneo: 6 DLSU: 2

Set Score:
Ateneo: 2 DLSU: 0

Team Tie:
Ateneo: 1 DLSU: 0#UAAPTennis

— Alfonso M. Navarro (@Ali_TheGUIDON) March 18, 2023

In the first Doubles match, the pairing of JJ Llavore and Mik Balce clashed against the Green and White’s Matt Palasan and Leyton Potin. The impressive defensive strategies of the Blue Eagles cleared them the first set, 6-2. Capitalizing on DLSU’s errors, Llavore and Balce made quick work in the second set, 6-1.

Aiming for another win, Antonio Tria faced DLSU’s Al Andrade in the second Singles match. Tria quickly commanded the first set, 6-1. Matching his performance from the previous set, Tria bested the Green Tennister as he dominated the second set with another 6-1 showing.

Following Tria’s impressive win, Co-captain Chester Tiongson and Stef Gurria joined forces against DLSU’s RJ Virrey and Matthew Crisosto in the second Doubles match.  Despite the thrilling back-and-forth plays from both teams, the Blue Eagles claimed the first set with their net volleys, 6-4. Unable to capitalize on their crucial lead, the Blue Eagles surrendered to DLSU as the Tennisters forced a do-or-die set, 4-6. Hoping for a comeback win, the Taft-based squad quickly gained the lead and snatched a 6-2 win over the Blue and White.

Co-captain Gab Tiamson took the stage against the Green and White’s EJ Geluz in the third Singles match. With Tiamson’s defensive plays and baseline shots, the co-captain secured the first set, 6-2. Keeping his composure, Tiamson swiftly claimed the second set with a powerful serve, 6-2.

[Third Men’s Singles]

Tiamson wins the matchup after a powerful serve! Ateneo inches closer towards a sweep.

Ateneo: 6 DLSU: 2

Set Score:
Ateneo: 2 DLSU: 0

Team Tie Score:
Ateneo: 4 DLSU: 0#UAAPTennis pic.twitter.com/dA8TtrzL3d

— Alfonso M. Navarro (@Ali_TheGUIDON) March 18, 2023

“We’re confident, [and] honestly we’re strong. But of course, it’s gonna be hard—we know it will be hard so we have to prepare physically,” co-captain Tiamson said on their preparations for a back-to-back match tomorrow. “We need to work on recovering well tonight and be ready for tomorrow.”

The AMLTT now holds a 3-0 record. Eyeing another win, the Blue Eagles will face the defending champions, the National University Bulldogs tomorrow, March 19, at 2:30 PM in the same venue.

Team-Tie Score: Ateneo-DLSU: 4-1

First Men’s Singles: Olivarez def. Po, 6-1, 6-2

First Men’s Doubles: Balce & Llavore def. Palasan & Portin, 6-2, 6-1

Second Men’s Singles: Tria def. Andrade, 6-1, 6-1

Second Men’s Doubles: Gurria & Tiongson fell to Crisosto & Virrey, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6

Third Men’s Singles: Tiamson def. Geluz, 6-2, 6-2