RIDING HOT entering today’s game, the Ateneo Men’s Lawn Tennis Team (AMLTT) extended their winning streak to three after a 4-1 victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons.

The Blue Eagles rose to 3-0 in their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 campaign earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in the City of Pasay.

Coming off his heroic performance against the University of the East, JD Velez dazzled with another impressive showing against Adamson’s Angelo Rosales in the first singles match. The rookie sensation made quick work of his San Marcelino-based counterpart in set one with a 6-1 advantage. Rosales would have made the match closer in set two, but Velez’s technique and aggression was overbearing for the Soaring Falcon to handle for Ateneo in a favorable 7-5 result for Ateneo.

The first doubles match featured Ateneo’s dynamic duo of Jonelle Llavore and Stefano Gurria taking on Adamson’s Jerald Delos Santos and Adrian Encinares. Already teaming up in their previous match, the Blue Eagles’ chemistry looked on point from the get-go. Using this connection, the Katipunan-based tandem both scored and received beautiful hits, eventually sweeping their opponents.

In the second singles match, AMLTT skipper Nio Tria would find difficulty gaining momentum against Adamson’s Miccoz Candelasa. After dropping the first set 2-6, Tria showed more determination to win the following set by producing multiple scoring runs. However the Blue Eagle’s comeback attempt would be halted by a series of momentum-stopping shots courtesy of Candelasa, 3-6.

With the team-tie score at 2-1, Ateneo’s Austin Delos Santos and Noy Seno had the opportunity to win the game for the Blue and White. Showcasing offensive firepower, the Katipunan-based duo swept Adamson’s Ramon Bentillo and Kurt Correos, 6-4 and 6-2 respectively.

Although the overall outcome had already been decided, the Soaring Falcons refused to give up. In the last match, Ateneo’s Axl Gonzaga exchanged rallies against Adamon’s Nikko Lumahang in a tightly contested battle. Following a 6-3 victory in set one, Gonzaga would go on to start slow in the second set. With the Blue Eagle trailing big at 2-5 in the set, a deciding third encounter seemed inevitable. However, Gonzaga would defy the odds by winning three straight games to tie the set at 5-apiece. The Atenean’s rejuvenated energy and momentum allowed him to complete the comeback, dominating the last two games and coming out on top, 7-5.

The Ateneo Men’s Lawn Tennis Team will be back in action tomorrow against the UST Men’s Tennis Team at 2:30 PM in the same venue.