UAAP: DLSU Tennisters’ championship bid narrows

The championship window is starting to close for both the DLSU Green Tennisters and Lady Tennisters as they split both of their games last January 7 and 8, winning against their rivals Ateneo but losing heavily against the current champions, NU, in the UAAP 77 Tennis Championship held at the Olivarez College Tennis Court in Paranaque.

The Green Tennisters are currently holding a 4-4 record while their female counterparts are trying to maintain a winning record with four wins and three losses.

January 7

The Green Tennisters chipped in an easy win against Ateneo with a final score of 4-1, while their Lady counterparts were not so lucky, losing against the defending champions, NU with a final score of 4-1.
LA Canizanes started the game for the Green Tennisters, running away with a tough 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win against ADMU’s Ino Canlas. La Salle’s Qoqo Allian quickly followed with a win of his own, winning against Iyo Canlas 6-2, 7-6.

The first game of the doubles matches did not go in La Salle’s favor however, as rookie Dale Gorospe and Bernard Sanchez lose to ADMU’s Anton Punzalan and Eri Gatoula, 6-2, 6-2. The Green Tennisters were quick to avenge as the duo of Alberto Villamor and Akio Sy won easily against ADMU’s AJ Rivero and Johann Exconde, 6-2, 6-4.

La Salle’s Kyle Parpan sealed the win for his team, losing only two matches against Ateneo’s Ralph Antonio with a score of 6-0, 6-2, ending the morning with a final score of 4-1.

After losing to NU last saturday with a final score of 4-1, the DLSU Lady Tennisters have yet to win a matchup against NU this season.

The defending champions beat the Lady Tennisters in dominating fashion, winning eights sets compared to La Salle’s two and winning 52 games compared to DLSU’s 20. Marinel Rudas was the only player to win a match for DLSU’s cause, winning against Hannah Espinosa with a score 6-2.

January 8

The Lady Tennisters won against Ateneo with ease with a final score of 4-1, while the Green Tennisters were overpowered by the NU Tennisters, losing all five matches.

Nikki Arandia brought DLSU their first point as she effortlessly beat ADMU’s Kathleen Espedido, 6-1, 6-1. Marinel Rudas followed through with a two-set sweep win against Naomi Riskin. To finish the singles games, Rachelle De Guzman defeated Khrizelle Sampaton, securing the third win over Ateneo.

The doubles matches did not go as smoothly compared to the singles matches. The Lady Tennisters bagged the second doubles in a gruelling match courtesy of rookie Jenni Dizon and Princess Castillo but had the first doubles match snatched away from them.
In their second meeting this season, the Green Tennisters were still unable to verify a win against NU. They were greatly overwhelmed by their opponents, winning only in two sets in contrast to the ten sets won by NU and winning only 29 games to 65.

Next up for the DLSU Green Tennisters are the UST Tigers whom they will face this coming February 14 at 12 nn and at February 15, 3 pm against the UE Red Warriors. The Lady Tennisters however, would only be matched with one opponent for this coming weekend, which UST on February 15, 9AM at the Olivarez College Tennis Court in Paranaque.