STILL LOOKING to find their footing in the elimination round, the Ateneo Women’s Tennis Team (AWTT) absorbed a 0-5 defeat at the hands of the UP Fighting Maroons in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Women’s Tennis Competition. The clash took place earlier today, February 22, at the Colegio San Agustin Tennis Stadium in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

The loss puts the Ateneo Blue Eagles at a 0-4 win-loss standing as they continue the first round of eliminations.

Opening the tie in the first singles game, Althea Ong faced UP’s Maria Divinagracia. Ong faced an early setback, dropping the first set, 1–6. Eager to turn the tide, she mounted a steadier challenge in the second frame. The veteran managed to push for a tiebreak, but ultimately fell short, 6–7 (3), surrendering the opening point.

In the second singles match, Angela Buyante played against Jufe Cocoy. Despite attempting to extend rallies and disrupt rhythm, Buyante struggled to gain momentum, conceding the match in straight sets, 1–6, 1–6.

Looking to narrow the gap, Casey Padilla took the court in third singles against Paula Uy. Padilla battled through long exchanges and improved her services in the second set, but Uy maintained control in crucial points to seal the match, 1–6, 5–7, handing UP a commanding 3–0 lead heading into doubles.

Despite hopes of forcing a late spark in the doubles, Ateneo struggled against a steady UP side that sustained momentum to close out the match. The tandem of Chelsea Roque and Althea Rose Martirez fell to Joshea Malazarte and Glydel Guevarra, 1–6, 4–6, in first doubles. In the final match of the day, Zaina Arianna Omar and Elohgracie Castollo were unable to break through against Marielle Jarata and Sydney Enriquez, bowing out 0–6, 0–6, to complete the 5–0 result.

Team-tie Score:
Ateneo–UP: 0-5

Results:
First Singles: Divinagracia (UP) def. Ong (Ateneo), 6–1, 7–6(3)
Second Singles: Cocoy (UP) def. Buyante (Ateneo), 6–1, 6–1
Third Singles: Uy (UP) def. Padilla (Ateneo), 6–1, 7–5
First Doubles: Malazarte and Guevarra (UP) def. Roque and Martirez (Ateneo), 6–1, 6–4
Second Doubles: Jarata and Enriquez (UP) def. Omar and Castollo (Ateneo), 6–0, 6–0

Current Standings:

1. UP Fighting Maroons (3-0)
2. DLSU Lady Tennisters (2-1)
3. UST Female Tennisters (2-1)
4. NU Lady Bulldogs (1-2)
5. ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-4)