The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Lawn Tennis Teams dominated the lawn as they claimed the championship titles for both divisions of the NCAA Season 99 Lawn Tennis Tournament on Mar. 23 at the Philippine Columbian Association Sports Club in Paco, Manila.

The Benilde Blazing Netters avenged their first loss against their opponents, the Mapua University (MU) Lawn Tennis Team, in the final match of the season. Carlo Ubalde put up a valiant effort chasing each shot, but ultimately fell short 1-2. Gian Macaraeg and Francis Lera retaliated with a display of superiority of the lawn with a clean sweep, 2-0. Reyniel Marcellana fell short in the second set of the second single’s match, however, he ensured to finally seal the deal for the Taft-squad, 2-1. The Benilde Blazing Netters secured the championship title against the Mapua University, 2-1.

Concurrently, the Benilde Lady Netters bested their opponents the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Altas in capturing the championship title. Daniela Dandalanin went down with an injury in the first singles match, resulting in a forfeiture for the Taft squad, 0-2. Kiana De Asis and Dorelle Laguda were undeterred from contesting their opponent’s advantage in the series and made sure to set a winning momentum for the squad, 2-1. Valerie Desoyo ultimately clinched the series with a dominant clean sweep, 2-0. The Benilde Lady Netters reigned supreme as they clinched the championship title from the Perpetual Altas, 2-1.

The Benilde Blazing Netters took home the following individual awards: Freshman of the Year (Fern Alekxander Co), Rookie of the Year (Gian Macaraeg), Most Valuable Player (Carlo Ubalde), and Men’s Division Coach of the Year (Coach John Rey Moreno).

Meanwhile, the Benilde Lady Netters also took home the following individual awards: Rookie of the Year (Kiana De Asis), Most Valuable Player (Valerie Desoyo), and Women’s Division Coach of the Year (Coach John Rey Moreno).

In an exclusive The Benildean interview, Coach John Rey Moreno left a message for the Benildean community, saying, “Keep believing [and] don’t stop dreaming, there will always be struggles and lessons [to] be learned. If you fall down, stand up again. Just have faith and pray to the Lord.” 

When asked about the preparations for the centennial season of the NCAA, he answered, “It will be a little bit harder, because right now we are number one again. There will be lots of schools that will be reactivated again and for sure they will target us. Preparation will be double or triple the hard work [and] more practice.”

Both the Benilde Lawn Tennis Teams concluded their campaign with a win-loss record of 6-1.