First game jitters got the best of the Blue Batters as they lost to defending champions, Adamson, in the season opener of the 73rd UAAP tournament last November 28. Team Ateneo were unable to jump back after a bad inning early in the game, succumbing to the Falcons, 13-3.
The first two innings of the game seemed promising for the Blue Batters as holding their opponents to a 0-0 score. Though their offense wasn’t at full force yet, their defense was solid.
In the bottom of the third, the first run scored by the Adamson Falcons was caused by a pass ball that went through rookie catcher Josh Rapaport, granting them the lead.
The Blue Batters, however, quickly responded in the top of the fourth with three hits and a walk by rookies Aidriane Bernardo, Chip Esguerra , Pelos Remollo, and veteran Batter Kevin Ramos—taking back the lead with three runs in.
Unfortunately, the excitement was short-lived. Things took a turn for the worse in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Blue Batters’ defense collapsed.
Rookie pitcher Aidriane Bernardo took command in the first two innings but by the third, the Falcons started hitting off his pitches and the bases were soon being occupied. As more hits were being delivered by the Falcons, the Blue Batters regrouped, putting rookie pitcher Inigo Olivares in for Bernardo.
The change however did not make much of a difference, Adamson were able to hit off Olivares just as easily as they were hitting off Bernardo. Crucial errors were also being committed by both the infield and outfield. At the end of the inning, the Falcons added nine runs to their score.
The boys in Blue could not keep their composure on the field as they were clearly rattled by the all the errors being committed. Offensively, the Blue Batters offense fell short, unable to add more runs to their score in the succeeding innings.
“We were too confident after we had the lead,” says Bernardo.
“The team’s performance was short,” continues Bernardo. “We gave up when they scored 9 runs in the 4th inning.”
More than half of the starting nine players are rookies; though, all talented and experienced, the pressure of having to lead the team in their very first UAAP game may have been too much to handle.
“As a rookie, it was our first time to feel that kind of pressure. It was different from our little league tournaments,” explains Bernardo.
“Errors killed us today and our offense was cold. Maybe [it’s] because most of my teammates are first-timers in the UAAP. [They still had] first game jitters,” adds sophomore Kevin Ramos.
Despite the disappointing outcome of the game, the Blue Batters continue to have high hopes for this season.
“We just need to play as a team, trust our teammates and coaches, train harder, talk it out, and lessen those errors. I know that [our performance] today wasn’t the Ateneo team that everyone was expecting. We can be better. We will be better,” finishes Ramos.
Eager to redeem themselves, the Blue Batters will face De La Salle University this coming Thursday (December 2) at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
