The Benilde Blazing Netters and Lady Netters set the tone early in the season, showing control in both categories to secure a double opening sweep, 3-0, against the Mapúa University (MU) Lawn Tennis Team on Feb. 6, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, Manila City.

The Lady Netters established a strong momentum as Czarina Miraflor opened the game with a dominant performance in the first singles match. From the opening serve, Miraflor dictated the pace for the rest of the game to secure the opening point for the Taft Squad, 2-0. Carrying the advantage into the doubles, Joy Oligo and Princess Tana showcased strong duo-chemistry and overpowered the Mapúa University (MU) Lawn Tennis Team to earn their victory, 2-0. With the ball in hand, Melody Dizon capped off the sweep in the second singles match, showing consistency to close the first women’s game with a decisive win, 3-0, sealing the Lady Netters’ triumph.

Mirroring the women’s dominance, the Blazing Netters showcased strength in the men’s division as Marco Macalintal jump-started the match with a singles victory, 2-0. The tandem Carlos Santiago and Khenz Justiniani flowed with the momentum as they sustained the pressure in the doubles match, dispatching their opponents in straight sets, 2-0. To close off the opening day, Fern Po controlled the game in the final singles match, securing the green and white squad’s final point with a powerful win, sealing the match at 3-0.

In an exclusive interview with The Benildean, Lady Netters’ team captain Kiana De Asis shared their goals for this season, “Champion po talaga for women’s, especially din sa men[‘s]. Sana po magkaroon ulit ng double champion[ship] for men’s and women’s–four-peat for men and three-peat for women’s.” 

Catch the Blazing Netters as they smash through the nets against San Sebastian College-Recolectos (SSC-R) Lawn Tennis Team and the Lady Netters swinging their rackets against San Beda University (SBU) Lawn Tennis Team on their next matches on Monday, Feb. 9, and Wednesday, Feb. 11, respectively, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.