Green Tennisters face tough setback against Ateneo
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Tennisters (1–9) went home with another heartbreak as they faced a tough setback at the hands of arch-rivals, the Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo) Men’s Lawn Tennis Team (8–1), 0–5, earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
In the opening bout between the ancient arch-rivals, Dan Mates led the charge against Blue Eagle Noy Seno. However, Seno’s agility proved formidable, thwarting Mates’ attempts to secure a bullseye as he swiftly reached a 6–1 lead over the latter, eventually concluding the first set of the singles match. Despite Mates’ determined efforts to score more points, Seno continued his relentless assault with powerful smashes across the court, ultimately sealing the victory and inflicting La Salle’s first heartbreak with a final score of 1–6.
Transitioning to paired duels, the Green Tennisters’ RJ Virrey and Brysl Libao faced off against the Blue Eagles’ Nio Tria and Axl Gonzaga. Ateneo’s pairing proved to be a daunting force, as they swiftly dismantled the Archer duo in the first set, 1–6. Despite this setback, Virrey and Libao ignited their offensive capabilities in the second set, unsettling Tria and Gonzaga with their deadlock strategies. However, the Eagles maintained their composure, skillfully fending off their opponents’ advances and unleashing deadly attacks from a distance, which ultimately secured the opponents’ victory in the first doubles match, 4–6.
In the second singles match, La Salle’s Binoy Hitosis faced off against Ateneo’s JD Velez. Regrettably, the encounter mirrored Mates’ struggle against Seno, with Velez unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks that left Hitosis reeling, also concluding the first set with a 1–6 scoreline. Entering the second set, the rookie Eagle continued his killing spree, which proved to be too much to bear for Hitosis. Despite Hitosis’ valiant efforts, he could only muster a solitary point in the set, resulting in a parallel outcome to Mates’ match, with Velez nabbing victory at 1–6.
In the second clash of pairs, Captain EJ Geluz and Ohye Portin teamed up against the taloned duo Jonelle Llavore and Stefano Gurria. With the determination to replicate the spark made by Virrey and Libao from the initial doubles match, the Green Tennisters unleashed a relentless stream of powerful smashes, which allowed them to narrow the gap against the Eagles. However, Ateneo was resolute in not conceding even a single set, as they soon ended the first set at 5–7. The Taft-based pair was undeterred to keep the Animo spirit ablaze, which allowed them to orchestrate a comeback to reverse the tide. Their resilience paid off as they successfully landed decisive blows, securing La Salle’s first set victory of the day, 7–5. However, the Eagles, fueled by a desire for revenge, were determined to reclaim their dominance. Llavore and Gurria thwarted any attempts at deadlocks, ultimately concluding the match at 3–6 and securing yet another win for Ateneo.
For the day’s final match, Nonoy Po faced off against Ateneo’s Austin Delos Santos. Riding high on their team’s earlier victories, Delos Santos swiftly took control of the court by executing powerful smashes that left Po struggling to assert dominance over the battlefield, 2–6. Entering the second set, Delos Santos continued his onslaught with aggressive returns, effectively wearing down La Salle’s final soldier, resulting in a 1–6 finish and sealing the match day in favor of Ateneo.
The Green Tennisters aim to bounce back as they enter Round 2 of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Tennis Tournament against the National University (NU) Men’s Lawn Tennis Team, on Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 AM, at the same venue.
Mates (0–2): 1-6, 1-6
Virrey & Libao (0–2): 1–6, 4–6
Hitosis (0–2): 1-6, 1-6
Geluz & Portin (1–2): 5–7, 7–5, 3-6
Po (0–2): 2-6, 1-6
