IN ANOTHER five-game affair, the Ateneo Women’s Lawn Tennis Team (AWLTT) valiantly fought in their 2-3 loss against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in the City of Manila.

This defeat puts the Blue Eagles at a 0-4 win-loss record to conclude the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Women’s Lawn Tennis Tournament.

With a gallant effort, AWLTT skipper Althea Ong commenced the game day against Lady Bulldog Elizabeth Abarquez in the first singles match. Despite the Atenean’s hard-hitting strokes, NU produced a sweep in both sets, 1-6, 0-6.

Meanwhile, the second singles match saw Chelsea Roque take on fellow rookie Adeline Abadia. The first-year Atenean displayed impressive techniques and held her own against Abadia, but the latter withstood her aggressive hits to give the Lady Bulldogs the win in two straight sets, 3-6, 2-6.

In doubles action, the couplet of Tricia Howard and Nina Sandejas squared off against NU’s Angela Cabara and Rovie Baulete. The Blue Eagles’ offensive struggles allowed the Sampaloc-based duo to take control of the match, scoring a sweep, 6-0 and 6-0. 

However, the following doubles match was a completely different story when Blue Eagles Mariam Garsin and Faye Dizon squared off against Bulldogs Alliah Ragunton and Julliana Carvajal. Both duos found themselves in a competitive battle in both sets, testing each other’s mettle to the limit. With their winning strategies and hard-hitting strokes, the Katipunan-based duo came out on top to nab both sets, 7-5, 7-5.

The final singles match then pitted Ateneo’s Althea Martirez against Lady Bulldog Danna Abad. Despite the Atenean rookie raring to go do battle, she would not be given the opportunity to do so, owing to their NU counterparts’ decision to field another player in Abad’s place. Hence, Martirez was awarded a walkover victory.

With the first round of eliminations in the books, the Blue Eagles look to bounce back and turn the tides in the second round, with the schedule and venue to be announced at a later date.

Team-Tie score: Ateneo-NU: 2-3

First Women’s Singles: Ong defeated by Abarquez, 1-6, 0-6

First Women’s Doubles: Howard and Sandejas defeated by Cabara & Baulete, 0-6, 0-6

Second Women’s Singles: Roque defeated by Abadia, 3-6, 2-6

Second Women’s Doubles: Garsin and Dizon def. Ragunton & Carvajal, 7-5, 7-5

Third Women’s Singles: Martirez def. Abad via walkover

Current Standings (W-L)

NU Lady Bulldogs (3-0)

UP Fighting Maroons (2-0)

UST Female Tennisters (1-1)

DLSU Lady Tennisters (1-2)

ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-4)