Regardless of their finest efforts this season, the DLSU Green and Lady Tennisters failed to secure double wins as they concluded their stint with unfortunate defeats against the UST Growling Tigers and the NU Lady Bulldogs, earlier today, March 17, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, where their final records of the season stand at 11-1 and 7-1, respectively.
Going against gold
In the heat of today’s showdown, DLSU began their game in the first singles division with Enzo Enriquez going against UST’s Ericjay Tangub, where the Green-and-White suffered their first loss in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-1. The second singles match opened with Ohye Tortal, who suffered the same fate as he was unable to recover the preceding loss, 6-0 and 6-0. The final singles match was played by Nonoy Po, also unfortunately falling short in avenging DLSU, dealing with straight-set defeats against UST, 6-1 and 6-3.
On the other side of the court, Team Captain EJ Geluz and Brysl Libao faced UST in the first doubles division. The power duo clinched the match in straight sets, 6-2 and 6-2, thoroughly dominating their opponent. Leyton Portin and RJ Virrey played the second and final doubles match; however, they were unable to remain firm against UST’s offensive, losing 6-1 and 6-2. The Green Tennisters ended their final game with a record of 4-1 against the UST Growling Tigers.
Wishful win
Representing the Lady Tennisters for the first singles was graduating Team Captain Maikee Vicencio who led the team in their Season 86 campaign. With what could possibly be her last UAAP match, Vicencio ended the game in three sets, 7-5, 2-6, and 6-1. Concurrently, rookie Annika Diwa swept the match in a swift victory, 6-2 and 6-4. Unable to replicate the previous performance in the singles division, though, Eliana Misa dropped the match in straight sets, both ending with 6-1.
The Jed Aquino and Arianne Nillasca tandem were unable to defy NU’s pair, ending in a heartbreaking sweep in favor of the Bulldogs, 6-0 and 6-1. With their final win on the line, the duo of Amor Idjao and Jam Madis fought hard with the hopes of bringing the match to a third set. The crowd filled with Lasalian supporters all gathered to cheer for the Green-and-White one last time. Despite their gallant effort, the tandem was unable to prolong the match, falling to the NU Lady Bulldogs in straight sets, 6-4 and 7-5. The DLSU Lady Tennisters ended their shaky UAAP Season 86 stint falling to the defending champions, the NU Lady Bulldogs in a close 3-2 match.
Despite the team’s successful conclusion to the season, Libao acknowledged his sadness at their setback as they wrapped off their UAAP campaign: “Although, ayun nga, sadly ‘di kami nanalo as a team, at least we ended on a good note and it was a good season overall.”
(Although we didn’t win as a team, we ended on a good note, and it was a good season overall.)
In an effort to help the team overcome their major setback this year, one-and-done athlete Libao disclosed that he may serve as the squad’s coach in the season to come. “I’ll still be contributing as a coach (hopefully), I think ayun nga, with high hopes next year, we can bounce back from the past two seasons. We’ll try to figure out what we can do and adjust during the off season and hopefully we can bounce back,” he explained.
(Hopefully I will still be contributing as a coach next season. We have high hopes next year so we can recover from the last two seasons. We will try to see what we can do, and adjust during the off season in order to make a comeback.)
As the Lady Tennisters completed their season, Diwa recounted her experience as a rookie, saying “Okay lang naman, yung ine-expect ko parang ganito rin, yung lively tsaka masaya. And then I’m playing quite good naman, so masaya ako sa season na ito.”
(It was a good season and it’s the same as what I expected, a game that’s lively and filled with joy. And then I’m playing quite well so I’m happy with this season.)
Diwa explained that although there might be key losses after this season, they’re still optimistic about the future, “Next year kasi maraming mawawala, pero malamang madaming madadagdag, so kailangan lang magkaroon ng bond between the new players at tsaka ako.”
(Next year, some will leave, but there will also be new additions so we just need to build a strong bond between the new players and myself.)
The DLSU Green and Lady Tennisters wrapped up their UAAP Season 86 Tennis Tournament campaign both with one win under their belt.
