THE ATENEO Blue Eagles capped off the first round of eliminations with a 0-5 loss to the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs. The Blue Eagles’ fourth match in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 was held earlier today at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in the City of Manila.
The result of the bout puts the Ateneo Women’s Lawn Tennis Team at a 0-4 win-loss record at the conclusion of the first half of eliminations, keeping the Blue and White in fifth place on the standings.
With her pristine record and status as the sole unbeaten Blue Eagle, Althea Martirez looked to stun Lady Bulldog Danna Abad in the first singles. However, despite the veteran’s best efforts in the first set, Martirez was outpaced by Abad, who had also dropped only one match all season. The Atenean’s gallant stand was not enough to eke past NU, as Abad took the first canto, 6-3.
Amid little pushback and banking on a 1-0 advantage, Abad seized control early on as Martirez struggled in her toughest bout thus far, suffering a 0-6 defeat in the second set to give the Lady Bulldogs the first team-tie advantage.
In the other singles matches of the day, Zaina Omar was swept in straight sets, 0-6, 0-6, by Elsie Abarquez, while Chelsea Roque surrendered to J.M. Carcueva via walkover.
Blue Eagles Angela Buyante and Audry Ruiz then confronted Lady Bulldogs Adi Abadia and Rovy Baulete for the first doubles match of the day. In a lopsided affair, Buyante and Ruiz also submitted to the Jhocson-based tandem, 0-6, 0-6.
Meanwhile, Reizel Coco and Adriana Cabahug suited up for the Blue and White against Gold and Blue’s Jasmine Jaran and Juliana Carvajal for the finals doubles match. Although the Loyola Heights-based duo displayed grit and promise, Jaran and Carvajal ultimately subdued the Atenean duo in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
As the Blue Eagles wrapped up the first round, Team Captain Althea Ong noted some bright spots following their first four games of the season. “Since most of them are rookies, they get to experience how it is, what it really feels like [to play] in the UAAP UAAP,” the skipper shared in a mix of English and Filipino.
Ong highlighted that there is still much room for improvement, and that there should not be any complacency when it comes to the UAAP.
“Alam nila kung ano dapat i-work on and what to do more in training. At least now, they [got] to experience na iba pa rin ang pressure kapag UAAP (They know what they have to work on and what to do more in training. At least now, they [got] to experience that the pressure of [playing in] the UAAP is different),” she added.
Despite the trials they faced thus far, Ong reiterates her support and positive outlook for the team heading into the final stretch.
“We just hope for the best and try to get a win, of course. Sana mag-step up pa sila more than today and the past round,” she concluded.
The Blue Eagles will look to bounce back in hopes of securing their first win of the season as the second round unfolds. As of writing, the UAAP has yet to announce the schedule for the final stretch of eliminations.
Team-tie Score:
Ateneo-NU: 0-5
Results:
First Singles: Abad (NU) def. Martirez (Ateneo) – 6-3, 6-0
Second Singles: Carcueva (NU) def. Roque (Ateneo) – w/o
Third Singles: Abarquez (NU) def. Omar (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-0
First Doubles: Abadia and Baulete (NU) def. Buyante and Ruiz (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-0
Second Doubles: Jaran and Carvajal (NU) def. Coco and Cabahug (Ateneo) – 6-0, 6-0
Current Standings (W-L):
- NU Lady Bulldogs (4-0)
- UST Female Tennisters (3-1)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-2)
- DLSU Lady Tennisters (1-3)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-4)
