Marking a historical first in Palarong Atenista, Business and Management (B&M) Vipers battled the Accountancy (ACC) Griffins in women’s doubles, while School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Tigers faced the B&M Vipers in the men’s category in an intense pickleball showdown. 

B&M Vipers’ Samantha Agatia and Jewel Eugster held off a late challenge from the Accountancy ACC Griffins’ Rizelle Ianne Dizon-Lim and Samantha Eboa to claim a 15-12 victory.

The Vipers opened the match with aggressive smashes and a series of dinks, forcing ACC Griffins to scramble for returns as the B&M Vipers built an early advantage. The Griffins immediately answered with a powerful smash of their own, keeping the ball in play and challenging the other team’s defense.

B&M Vipers rallied to counter with successive dinks and overhead smashes before a drop shot helped the Vipers maintain their lead at 5-4, and they continued targeting open spaces with controlled dinks and overhead shots, stretching ACC’s court coverage and extending their advantage to 7-4.

ACC Griffins were eager to take back the game and fought back with a forceful drive that caught the B&M Vipers off guard, followed by another aggressive shot that helped close the gap and regain momentum.

Both tandems exchanged quick shots near the net as the score tightened, with B&M Vipers attempting drop shots while ACC Griffins responded with overhead attacks.

The ACC Griffins kept the pressure on with intense drives, but a missed return gave B&M Vipers another opportunity to recover as both pairs battled through the decisive rallies.

The Vipers eventually capitalized on a crucial opening with an overhead attack, snatching the throne as the first Palarong Atenista women’s pickleball champion.

“It’s important to have patience and also communication with my partner,” Agatia said after the match, emphasizing the importance of coordination and composure in doubles play.

SEA Tigers topple B&M Vipers for men’s doubles crown

Patience proved just as decisive as power as the SEA Tigers’ Ron Lleyton Gozalo and Duane Mathieu Batad navigated the fast-paced exchanges of their men’s doubles showdown against the B&M Vipers.

SEA Tigers controlled the pace of play with aggressive drives and overhead attacks, putting pressure on B&M as the Tigers sought openings to finish their rallies.

However, drawing on their previous encounter against the B&M Vipers, Gozalo said the pair learned to temper their aggression and remain composed rather than forcing attacks.

“The strategy we used was to stay calm during the game,” Gozalo said. 

He added that the adjustment taught them to avoid complacency and capitalize on opportunities rather than attempt to finish every ball aggressively.

“So mao tong nagpa-mata jud sa amoa na dili mag kumpyansa sa every ball na makuha namin. So ngayon, gine-less naman yung pagiging aggressive namin and wait for the right opportunity to kill a ball.”

By taking control of the tempo and waiting for cleaner setups, the SEA Tigers executed their offensive plays with greater precision to seal the match.

The first-ever Palarong Atenista pickleball tournaments were held at The Playground Pickleball and Cafe in RGA Village, Paciano Bangoy on October 11.