IN THEIR second University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 assignment, the Ateneo Women’s Lawn Tennis Team (AWLTT) was overpowered by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Tennisters in a 1-4 setback. Despite another strong performance from veteran Althea Martirez, the Blue Eagles slid to a 0-2 win-loss record at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in the City of Manila.
The opening match saw Ateneo’s Chelsea Roque go head-to-head with DLSU’s Jam Madis. Roque started the match with hopes of setting the tempo, but Madis quickly silenced her efforts, dominating from the baseline with heavy groundstrokes and precise angles. The Blue Eagle tried to respond early but ultimately succumbed to the barrage, losing in consecutive sets (0-6, 2-6).
Veteran standout Martirez then faced off against La Salle’s Bea Gomez, delivering a striking performance that saw her dominate the second singles match. The first set ended in a commanding 6-0 shutout, and while her opponent fought harder in the second canto, Martirez stayed focused and finished strong at 6-3. As the lone victor for Ateneo throughout two game days, Martirez has continued to shine despite the team’s rough patch.
The first doubles match featured Ateneo rookies Reizel Coco and Audrey Ruiz facing off against La Salle’s Althea Liwag and Arianne Nillasca. Despite showing strong synergy, the Atenean duo struggled to break through against their more seasoned opponents. In spite of their admirable teamwork, the pair simply could not outlast their opponents’ precise serves and well-timed volleys, losing 0-6, 1-6.
To Ateneo’s detriment, the final singles match saw another swift victory for Taft, as La Salle’s Maikee Vicencio cruised past Ateneo’s Angela Buyante. The Blue Eagle rookie struggled to find her footing as her foe’s aggressive baseline play proved to be overwhelming. Despite her brave attempts to stay in the game, Buyante ultimately was swept by DLSU in back-to-back sets.
In the final doubles match, Zaina Omar teamed up with rookie Adriana Cabahug to take on Lady Tennisters Amor Idjao and Precious Mendoza. Omar’s experience, mixed with Cabahug’s youthful energy, showed early promise for Ateneo, but ultimately faltered to DLSU’s more polished play. The result was a one-sided affair, with La Salle claiming the match 0-6, 1-6.
The Blue Eagles will look to bounce back and get on the winning column against the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday, March 1 at the same venue.
Team-tie score:
Ateneo-DLSU: 1-4
Results:
First Singles: Madis (DLSU) def. Roque (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-2
First Doubles: Liwag and Nillasca (DLSU) def. Coco and Ruiz (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-1
Second Singles: Martirez (Ateneo) def. Gomez (DLSU) – 6-0, 6-3
Second Doubles: Idjao and Mendoza (DLSU) def. Omar and Cabahug (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-1
Third Singles: Vicencio (DLSU) def. Buyante (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-0
