The DLSU Green Tennisters and Lady Tennisters formally opened their UAAP Season 79 campaign this past weekend, with matches set last February 18 and February 19 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. The men put up a valiant effort in their first official tie last Sunday, but fell just short against the ADMU Blue Eagles. Likewise, the Lady Tennisters were not able to overcome the UST Growling Tigresses in their first tie of the season. On the other hand, La Salle’s matches against the NU Bulldogs and ADMU Lady Eagles, respectively, were abandoned due to heavy rainfall.
Day one rains
The Green Tennisters were set to take on the defending champion NU Bulldogs last February 18, but both teams were forced to abandon the match, which was just beginning, due to heavy rainfall. A similar situation transpired for the Lady Tennisters, who were in the opening stages of their tie against their archrivals, the ADMU Lady Eagles.
Neither team had yet to claim a set in any match, although DLSU’s Betto Orendain had gained a 5-1 lead in the opening set in his singles match against NU’s Alejandre at the time the games were called off. Both matches are set to resume on March 1 at 8 am in the same venue.
Day two results
After a rain-delayed first day, the Green Tennisters looked to finally officially open their season with a Sunday morning match-up against the ADMU Blue Eagles. To start, things did not look good for DLSU as both LA Canizares and rookie Raphael Teng were dominated in their matches against Ino Canlas and Marcen Gonzales, respectively.
To keep things close, the team of Jonah Cano and Qoqo Allian were able to outclass ADMU’s Erj Gatdula and Luke Flores in equal 6-1 sets. Having no margin for error due to the two matches the Blue Eagles had already won, the simultaneous matches of DLSU’s Betto Orendain and the team of Kyle Parpan and Hans Asistio were going to decide the winner of the tie. In his singles match, Orendain was able to command ADMU’s AJ Rivero, 6-1, 6-0, to tie the score at two matches a piece.
While the doubles team lost the first set, they were able to bounce back to win the second set, and force a deciding third set. Against Julian Dayrit and Anton Punzalan, La Salle quickly came out in front taking the set’s first two games. Unfortunately for them, however, the Blue Eagles came storming back to take the set, match, and victory for that day.
The Lady Tennisters also formally opened their season on Sunday, facing UST. DLSU’s Jenni Dizon started things off for the women by defeating her counterpart in straight sets. On the other court, though, Erika Manduriao was able to beat Chang Atangan to give each team a win. After La Salle captain Rachelle de Guzman was able to win her singles match, things were looking optimistic for the Lady Tennisters as they led 2-1.
Regrettably for the women, however, they were not able to close things out with both of their doubles teams falling to UST. First, it was the team of Princess Castillo and Jed Aquino who lost in a three-set thriller to Lenelyn Milo and Mae Gitalan. Unluckily for the team of DLSU rookies, Kylla Orillosa and Kianna Gacias, they were unable to even win a game against their opponents in their UAAP debuts.
Both teams will be looking for their first wins of the season as both face UP on Wednesday, February 22, at 8 am the same venue.
