Thirteen—the number of times the Green Tennisters from Taft had prevailed to win the UAAP men’s tennis championship. The 14th may as well be on its way.
Since its time in the NCAA from 1958, DLSU’s tennis stars have been rewarded with numerous titles, with the latest one being two years ago in the UAAP’s 71st season. Last year almost added to the Green Tennister’s championship collection, until they failed and bowed to UST in the finals.
This season, with players like Mike Basco, John Baldonado and a few new rookies added to the mix, the Green Tennisters will have another outstanding season to come, and may once again be reacquainted with a similar friend, the coveted UAAP men’s tennis championship.
Over at the distaff side, they already have six championships to their name, but the DLSU Lady Tennisters are not yet done and are looking to add more to their haul of UAAP gold. After experiencing a rare four-peat last season, these Lady Tennisters are again looking to outperform themselves.
They were bridesmaids in last year’s Philippine University Games (UniGames), and they decided to avenge their silver finish. This year, they went for the kill to bring the much-desired crown to Taft Avenue. The Lasallian community asked, and these Tennisters responded.
Green and Lady Tennisters Coach Pereme Alina, when asked about the preparations for their upcoming UAAP event and his evaluation about the Tennisters’ performance in the UniGames, answered positively, saying “Everyone did their best especially the Lady Tennisters. For the Men’s team [Green Tennisters], they fell short but still, the performance that they showed was incredible. They fought until the end.”
Both Green and Lady Tennisters have the edge and potential to win the crown. The Lady Tennisters showed a good sign in the UniGames while the Green Tennisters need to find out what went wrong and improve their weaknesses as their biggest long-time rival UST is definitely working hard to get another sweep.
“In preparation for the UAAP tournament, the tennisters are training hard. We [the coaching team] keep them fit and ready to face all the circumstances that are in the court. One way is by helping them to be responsible even outside the court as we teach them Lasallian values,” Tennisters’ mentor Alina finished.
