It has been a happy week for the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, who fished their second straight win, just days after their first victory in over a year at the expense of rivals the De La Salle University Lady Archers, three matches to two, Saturday morning at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Jana Pages opened the day for Ateneo with a victory in two sets, 6-0, 6-3, against La Salle rookie Khyshana Hitosis. On the adjacent lawn, it was La Salle’s turn to reign triumphant over the Ateneo rookie. Lady Archer Marinel Rudas opened her match against rookie Lady Eagle Rocio Climent with a 6-0 win in the first set, and followed it up with a 6-1 beatdown in the second set.
The La Salle duo of Nikki Arandia and Anne Castillo gave the Green side an early cause of cheer in the first doubles match of the day. They disposed of Ateneans Alexis Mclean and Jana Exconde 6-1 in the first set, before sweeping the second set, 6-0. The second platoon deployed by the Blue and White, however, got a taste of revenge, with veterans Shannin Olivarez and Jana Hernandez routing La Salle’s Jenni Dizon and Jed Aquino in two sets, 6-2 and 6-3.
The day’s hero for Ateneo was Khrizelle Sampaton, who made quick work of La Salle’s Ana Atangan in just two sets, 6-1 and 6-1.
With the win, the Lady Eagles end the first round at a commendable 2-2. Their victory over UP earlier this week was their first in more than a year, having dropped all their assignments last season. The Lady Archers, meanwhile, settle for a 1-3 slate.
