The Ateneo Women’s Table Tennis Team (AWTT) welcomed the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 with mixed results. The opening bouts were held earlier today, November 15, at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.
Closing the first day with a 2-1 record, the Blue Eagles registered key victories against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons and the University of the East (UE) Lady Paddlers, but fell short against defending champions University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Paddlers. This result puts Ateneo in third place in the standings.
8:00 AM match vs. UP
Igniting the Blue Eagle’s campaign with a Battle of Katipunan rendition, Jelaine Monteclaro stepped up to take on Fighting Maroon Althea Salvador. Despite Salvador’s early lead that resulted in a 2-1 set score, Monteclaro displayed grace under pressure to come back and win in five games, 8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7.
Next up in Singles play, Andrea Deondo matched up against UP’s Ana Gumobao. Another five-setter was on the cards, revealing Deondo as the ultimate victor following consecutive close matches, 9-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7.
Finally, Doubles action commenced as Ateneo’s Nicole Alemania and Celeen Docto took on UP’s Khorquina Lozada and Bethel Sadora. Even with an underwhelming second set, the Blue Eagles dominated the outing to get the win in four thrilling sets, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9.
10:30 AM match vs. UST
Having established a rhythm early on, the Blue Eagles were then set to take on defending champions, the UST Lady Paddlers. First to have a go at last season’s champions was Ateneo’s Deondo against UST’s Althea Gudes. Leaving it all on the floor, Deondo was unable to take a set from Gudes, surrendering three straight sets, 11-7, 11-2, 11-3
In an attempt to avenge her teammate, Anna Fabregar donned the Blue and White against Trexiemay Alarcon. The match featured three close sets, with Fabregar failing to close out a set victory, 13-11, 11-9, 11-8.
Needing one match victory to extend the series, it was in the hands of Alemania and Docto to save the Blue Eagles from taking their first loss. However, the Ateneo duo was unable to gain the upper hand against Samantha Bandojo and Jaylyn Valencia, losing in all but one set to surrender their first game of the season, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-8.
4:00 PM match vs. UE
Commencing the afternoon’s festivities, Deondo immediately made her mark against UE’s Jean Ramos. To waste no time, the Blue Eagle toppled her adversary in straight sets, 11-3, 11-7, 12-10.
Intent on maintaining their momentum, veteran paddler Aubrey Solis engaged in a tussle with Lady Warrior Jhercy Villanueva. Showcasing her composure, Solis powered through a grueling first two sets to outlast Villanueva in four frames, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-7.
In the next match, the Atenean dyad of Alemania and Docto sought to rival UE’s Daisy Calo and Ainsley Ramos’ table maneuvers. Despite their best efforts, the Blue Eagle pairing fell to their Recto-based counterparts in quick succession, 12-14, 8-11, 9-11.
Responding with a sense of urgency, Fabregar faced UE’s Danica Galang in a fast-paced outing. Imposing her rhythm early, Fabregar manufactured sublime attacks to dispatch her opposition in dominant fashion, 15-13, 11-3, 11-8.
Looking to close out the first round with more favorable outcomes, the Blue Eagles will resume their Season 88 campaign on November 16 at 8:00 A.M.
Women’s Standings (W-L):
- FEU Lady Tamaraws (3-0)
- UST Lady Paddlers (3-0)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (2-1)
- DLSU Lady Paddlers (2-1)
- AdU Lady Falcons (1-3)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-3)
- UE Lady Warriors (0-4)
