Photo by Alexandra L. Huang
Left Fielder: Raphael Balagtas
HAVING PLAYED one year with the Blue Eaglet Batters as a guest player in high school, Raphael Balagtas is no stranger to the Ateneo brand of baseball. Balagtas has been playing on the field from his early grade school years to his high school years in PAREF Northfield.
In 2006 and 2007, he competed for Little League Philippines in Hong Kong. Currently, Balagtas also plays for the Batangas Bulls in a semi-pro league under Baseball Philippines.
Aside from defending the left field, the AB Psychology freshman’s speed is his greatest asset. “We may have lost Johnny [Altomonte] for speed, but we gained Rapho,” says teammate Dio Remollo.
Despite being a rookie, Balagtas says that he is ready for the team to dominate this season and that he personally desires the championship for the team. “We have a really solid team this year,” comments Balagtas, who shared that the team bonded and had a great pre-season training camp in Taiwan last October.
Photo by Alexandra L. Huang
Center Fielder: Leandro Banzon
PLAYING FOR Team Ateneo since his grade school years, Leandro Banzon is a True Blue baseball player. Apart from years’ worth of Ateneo baseball varsity experience, Banzon has played in the World Series in 2008, 2009 and 2011. “I’ve been playing for almost half of my life,” says the 18-year-old.
When asked about his college experience so far, he shares that he is in awe of the amount of liberty that students are given. In terms of baseball training however, he says, “The trainings are more serious now.” He recalled that in high school, there was more horseplay in training, unlike the extreme focus required in the collegiate level. “That focus in training helps us become more mentally prepared for the season,” says Banzon.
Banzon shares that he is both excited and nervous for the UAAP baseball tournament this January especially with expectations set high for the Blue and White. It is no secret that the Blue Batters are favorites to win it all.
Photo by Alexandra L. Huang
Third Baseman: Justin Mathay
JUSTIN MATHAY was not the biggest fan of baseball when he started playing in fourth grade. In fact, it was his relatives’ idea to play ball, not his. “I hated it. I hated it so much!” says Mathay. As he continued to play the sport, however, it eventually grew on him.
In just a year, he became a member of the varsity team of La Salle Green Hills. Playing for the Green and White carried on until his high school years as he moved on to play for De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ).
His skills on the field would eventually earn him spots in teams participating in leagues, such as the Muntinlupa Little League, Palarong Pambansa, Regionals and the Nationals. His most impressive feat, however, is having competed in the World Series. Additionally, he participated in the first ever UAAP Juniors Baseball Season last year, where DLSZ emerged as champions.
“I think we can do better this year,” he says on the upcoming season, with the team’s intense Taiwan training as their best asset.
Photo by Alexandra L. Huang
Catcher: Lorenzo Ramos
LORENZO RAMOS first joined the baseball club in Ateneo when he was in the third grade. Next thing he knew, the coach approached him, saying he was already a varsity player. Everything else is history.
Ramos has gained much competitive experience throughout the years. He has participated in Pony Leagues, the International Little League Association of Manila, the National Team, Regionals, Palarong Pambansa, Baseball Philippines and the World Series. He is, indeed, a decorated recruit.
He shares that the veterans in the team have been very dedicated in helping him, as well as his fellow rookies, prepare for the season. He shares, “[They tell us to] be more dedicated to the team, and put more effort in practicing our skills.”
“Renzo is one of our most versatile players. He can play multiple positions, and has a dependable bat,” says Team Captain Gab Bagamasbad.
With the approaching season, Renzo shares that he is confident of the team and has faith that the Blue Batters will win.
Photo by Alexandra L. Huang
Pitcher: Miguel Salud
LIKE MANY of his teammates, Miguel Salud first held a bat and glove after being influenced by some family members into trying out the sport. He took his first swing at it during his second grade in DLSZ. Since then, he has played for DLSZ’s Varsity Team and the Muntinlupa Little League.
In the pioneering season of UAAP Juniors Baseball last year, Salud was awarded the title of Most Valuable Player after playing an imperative role in his team in terms of pitching. “I was called ‘Ateneo Killer’ in high school,” he says. His solid pitching caused many Blue and White players to strike out consecutively, earning him the title.
Despite such a title, however, Salud chose to proceed with his university education and baseball career in the Ateneo as he preferred the campus environment at Loyola Heights.
Although the team lost a key player in former rookie Paco Tantuico, Salud is set to fill in his spot, as both players play the same position in pitching and defending first base.
Photo by Alexandra L. Huang
First Baseman: Miguel Santos
MIGUEL SANTOS had to choose between baseball and swimming in Ateneo Grade School. However, the swimming club was already full when he signed up, thus leaving him the option of baseball. He hasn’t looked back since. Other than appearing in local leagues, he has competed in Australia, Japan, Indonesia and the United States.
A natural lefty, Santos first started playing behind the plate. He realized, however, that playing at a collegiate level was no easy feat. “In college, you have to fight for your spot,” says Santos. He shares that there is added pressure on all of them, given how excellent the team’s performance was last year.
Despite this pressure, there is much reassurance and guidance coming from the team’s veterans. He shares that what he values most about his team now is how the veterans urge the rookies to look upon their mistakes as lessons. “They always tell us to just keep going. It’s okay to make mistakes,” Santos recounts.
Photo by Alexandra L. Huang
First Baseman: Ryon Tionloc
RYON TIONLOC spent his grade school years playing baseball for PAREF Northfield. In high school, he transferred to Ateneo de Manila, where he continued to play the sport. He has competed in a local pony league called TOT, International Little League Association of Manila and United Baseball League.
“College baseball is like a reunion,” says Tionloc, as the team is a mix of players who have played against each other in various high schools tournaments and teams. He sees this as an advantage as most of them already know how to play against and with each other.
Tionloc also shares that head coach Emer Barandoc reiterates the same line to the rookies: “Rookies, alam niyo na. (You already know).” He takes this line to heart, believing that there are great expectations for him and his fellow rookies, especially since they are all very experienced.
Photo by Alexandra L. Huang
Right Fielder: Jose Carlo Villarin
INITIALLY, BASEBALL seemed to be just a sport that was “fun to watch.” But when Jose Carlo Villarin first played baseball in fifth grade, he realized that it was a terrific way to lose weight.
Since that revelation, he kept on playing and eventually became a member of the varsity team from grade school to high school in the Ateneo. He also joined the International Little League of Manila, where he further improved his skills and gained more experience.
A management economics major, Villarin shares that the stress of balancing academics with baseball is really different in college compared to how it was in high school. Sharing the same last name as the university president, Villarin is fondly called by his teammate as “The President.”
“College baseball demands more time and effort from us,” he says. “I’m nervous and excited for UAAP, since I’m a rookie.” The excitement comes from knowing that the team is a definite contender in the championship, while the nerves are from not knowing what the season will entail.
