THE ATENEO Blue Batters redeemed a frustrating 11-9 loss last February 12 against the De La Salle University Green Archers by outrunning the green and white, 13-5, last February 16. La Salle is now eliminated from qualifying for the championship round, finishing the season in fourth place.

The scrimmage lasted only eight and a half innings, as unforgiving weather conditions pushed umpires to pause and eventually call off the game with two Ateneo batters into the bottom of the eighth.

It seemed that Coach Emer Barandoc’s boys were finally back in shape, showing just the right amount of boldness and confidence in the field of dreams. Just like their games from round one, the Blue Batters immediately gave their opponents a run for their money by starting the game strong—six-runs strong courtesy of batters Adriane Bernardo, Kevin Ramos, Charles Catangui, Paco Tantuico, Dio Remollo and Kirk Long.

Three runs and one out into the bottom of first, La Salle made the decision to replace pitcher Uichico with Laurel, who pitched until the eighth inning.

Sophomore stand-out Bernardo was on the mound for eight innings, delivering 99 pitches in total. Bernardo was relieved by junior Ramos in the top of eighth. Behind the plate was rookie Remollo.

While La Salle retaliated by scoring three runs in the top of third, Ateneo responded with five runs. Remollo was the first to run home care of batter Gab Bagamasbad. A highlight in this inning was a remarkable triple by rookie Catangui. Catangui’s strong hit to the right field paved the way for a three-run rally by batters Andy Tan, Bernardo and Ramos.

Rookie Remollo hit his second home run for the season in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was Remollo who hit the single homerun in the batters’ previous loss against La Salle. Remollo was able to hit a double homerun, sending him and batch mate Catangui home. Remollo’s ball landed in the left bleachers of the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, some 320 feet away from the plate.

This win from Ateneo secures them a spot in the championships that will happen next week. This will be the first time in history that Ateneo will be battling for the championship crown of UAAP baseball.

Ateneo is set to face National University, which defeated defending champion UST 2-7 last Saturday.

“I’ve never played so many [UAAP] games in my life!” said senior Bagamasbad, displaying his awe for his team’s great achievement so far.

Indeed, it has been a long time coming for Team Ateneo.