THE ATENEO Women’s Lawn Tennis Team capped off their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 campaign with a narrow 2-3 loss to their Katipunan neighbors University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. The final Battle of Katipunan matchup was held earlier today at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in the City of Manila.

With today’s result, the Blue Eagles finished with a 1-7 win-loss slate, with their lone win coming against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Tennisters last Sunday, March 10.

Commencing their final game day, Atenean Chelsea Roque was outclassed by Fighting Maroon Rachel Velezin in the first singles match in one-sided 0-6, 1-6 set scorelines. Looking to avenge her teammate, Faye Dizon squared off against Achaia Cabahug in the following singles contest. In both sets, the Blue Eagle’s scintillating attacks were enough to seal Ateneo’s first win of the day, 6-1 and 6-0.

In doubles action, the couplet of Mariam Garsin and Althea Martinez suited up against Joshea Malazarte and Jesha Cervantes. In the first canto, the Fighting Maroons thwarted their Katipunan adversaries’ quick returns, winning with a 6-3 score. The second set saw a back-and-forth exchange between both duos midway through, 3-4. However, the Blue Eagles were unable to maintain momentum, yielding at 3-6.

The penultimate match of the day featured Zaina Omar and Tricia Howard going up against UP’s Anica Cari and Jonamil Prado. Right from the jump, the Fighting Maroons showcased their offensive prowess against their Atenean counterparts and never looked back, securing a straight sets win and the overall team-tie victory, 6-0 and 6-0. 

Capping off the Blue and White’s campaign, Team Captain Althea Ong squared off against Fighting Maroon Jufe Cocoy in the final singles contest of the bout. In the first set, the AWLTT skipper took charge with her aggressive hits, securing the win at 6-2. Maintaining her composure, Ong thwarted her opponent’s attempts to inch closer with her powerful strokes, ending the Blue Eagles’ Season 86 stint on a high note, 6-4.

Reflecting on the season, Ong commended her squad for putting up a great showing in all their matches from the start of the tournament. “I can say that my team performed well this season, [but] it just didn’t go our way lang for most of it but it is what it is. It was a well-fought season until the very last game,” the veteran recalls. Moreover, she shared that the Katipunan-based unit will continue to improve and work on what needs to be enhanced, as they shift gears to preparing for UAAP Season 87.

With the Blue Eagles’ season in the books, the National University Lady Bulldogs will face either the UP Fighting Maroons or the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Female Tennisters in the finals.

Team-Tie Score: Ateneo-UP: 2-3

First Women’s Singles: Roque defeated by Velez, 0-6, 1-6

First Women’s Doubles: Garsin and Martirez defeated by Malazarte and Cervantes, 3-6, 3-6

Second Women’s Singles: Dizon def. Cabahug, 6-1, 6-0

Second Women’s Doubles: Omar and Howard defeated by Cari and Prado, 0-6, 0-6

Third Women’s Singles: Ong def. Cocoy, 6-2, 6-4

Current Standings (W/L)

NU Lady Bulldogs (6-0)

UST Female Tennisters (5-1)

UP Fighting Maroons (4-3)

DLSU Lady Tennisters (1-6)

ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-7)