Lady Netters return to finals, place 2nd
AFTER FINISHING last in Season 69, the Ateneo Lady Netters surged to the championship series in Season 70 but settled for second place honors as they fell to the University of Santo Tomas, 3-1, last February 23 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts.
"The team fought hard and never gave up," said team captain Carla Ferrer (IV BS ME).
"We came out of the finals game with no regrets [but] sad, of course, because we really wanted to win the championship this year."
It had been three years since the Lady Netters last played in the finals. Then, they had also won their last championship.
Being the underdogs this time against powerhouse UST, who had a twice-to-beat advantage, the Netters from Loyola were hoping to pull off an upset.
Michelle Pang (II BS CTM), undefeated in the entire UAAP season, drew first blood for the Blue-and-White as she dominated her opponent, 6-0, 6-0.
However, UST showed its mettle and composure in doubles actions as the tandem of Ferrer and Isabelle Ong (I BS Mgt) and the duo of Kat Pamintuan (III AB Eu) and Brittany Araneta (IV BS LM) dropped their matches, 6-2, 6-2 and 6-3, 6-4, respectively.
"We weren't able to get crucial points in the games," said Ferrer. "There were very long baseline rallies and the one who usually got the points was the team who was able to attack at the net first."
Down 2-1, the Loyola-based Netters had a chance to tie but Ivy de Castro (I BS Mgt), named UAAP Rookie of the Year, succumbed to cramps and retired from her match at 6-3, 5-5.
De Castro suffered the injury as she was running for the ball during the second set of her bout. Down 5-4, she took a medical time-out then returned to play. She managed to tie the set, 5-5, with strategically placed serves and volleys, and sheer determination. However, the cramps worsened and she was forced to forfeit the match.
"Giving up was the last thing on my mind," said de Castro. "I was leading 40-30 in the set but I couldn't move, both my legs were cramping and I fell to the ground."
Cookie Enriquez (II BS MAC), slated to play in the deciding tiff had de Castro won, no longer played her match.
However, despite the heartbreaking finish, the team was pleased with the way they performed this season, especially after their big improvement from last year.
"It feels great to have finished in second place this season, especially after two years of coming in last place," said Ferrer.
"I'm very proud of the team," she added. "This season, the team took on everything as one. We supported each other and pushed each other to work hard and fight."
Coach Jen Saret, too, was pleased. "The team really worked together to make this possible," she said.
"Seeing what we are capable of accomplishing, I think we'll work even harder in preparing for the next season," said Ferrer.