The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lawn Tennis Teams failed to sweep the NCAA Lawn Tennis Tournament, with both teams absorbing their first loss on Mar. 22 at the Philippine Columbian Association Sports Club in Paco, Manila.
With a shot at the championship on the line, the Benilde Blazing Netters went on a slump against the streaking Mapua University (MU) Men’s Lawn Tennis Team.
The first singles match, which was usually played by Carlo Ubalde, saw a different face, with team captain Karl Baran representing Benilde early in the morning. Baran struggled to keep up with his foe, putting the Taft squad in unfamiliar territory, dropping their first ever match throughout the tournament, 0-2. With a bit of pressure on their backs, the duo of Francis Lera and Reyniel Marcellana tried to turn the favor towards their side. However, their Mapuan counterparts made sure the Taft squad wouldn’t gain back their momentum, ultimately defeating the duo of Lera and Marcellana, 1-2. The Benilde Blazing Netters suffer their first ever loss in the tournament after a 15-0 start.
Similarly, the Lady Blazing Netters also had a chance to claim the title with a tournament sweep, although they had a tough test at hand, facing their rivals the San Beda University (SBU) Lady Red Netters. Currently at a skid, losing her last two singles match, a determined Valerie Desoyo floored the lawn first to open up the ball game, seeking to end her slump, Desoyo figured in another tough battle, absorbing the first loss of the Taft squad, 0-2. The duo of Kiana De Asis and Daydo Laguda made sure to add a win to the board, as they edged out their opponent, 2-1. With both teams with a win, the Taft squad was eager to close things out and win the championship, while the Lady Red Netters look to face their rivals one more time in the finals. Despite a great show of effort by Daniella Dandalanin, her opponent proved to be too overwhelming, sweeping her, 0-2. The Lady Blazing Netters fell short of sweeping the tournament, suffering their first loss.
Despite a rough outing, the Benilde Netters have an opportunity to redeem themselves as they engage in a finals rematch against the same opponents today, Mar. 23, with both the Blazing Netters and the Lady Blazing Netters aiming to secure victory and reclaim the championship against the MU Men’s Lawn Tennis Team and the SBU Lady Red Netters respectively.
