WHEN THE ball fell right into the glove of first baseman Ryon Tionloc, it signaled National University’s third out in the top of the ninth inning. It was official—the Ateneo Blue Batters had successfully dethroned the defending champions, 4-0, on Tuesday, February 27 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
It was the first time in both UAAP and Ateneo history that the Blue Batters have emerged as the champions of the baseball tournament.
Before the first pitch was thrown, individual awards were given out to players who have displayed excellent skill and prowess throughout the tournament. Junior Matt Laurel was awarded Most RBI’s and Most Homeruns for the season for the second year in a row. Freshman Miguel Salud, on the other hand, was recognized for being the Rookie of the Year and the Best Pitcher of the tournament.
In the bottom of the first, Laurel advanced to third after hitting a grounder that led NU to commit several errors. Veteran Bocc Bernardo followed up with a 1 RBI single that sent Laurel home. Power hitters Dio Remollo and Tionloc followed up with singles. With bases loaded, Iñigo Untalan received his first walk from NU pitcher Aries Oruga, letting Bocc Bernardo advance home, upping the Ateneo lead, 2-0.
Ateneo brought in another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, through a 1 RBI single from Pelos Remollo that sent Untalan home, giving Ateneo the lead at 3-0. Ateneo’s fourth and final point for the match came from a 1 RBI single from Dio Remollo, which sent Laurel home, sealing the score 4-0.
NU looked to get on board in the top of the eighth inning. With two outs and two runners on second and third, NU Batter Ram Alipio was sent in to pinch hit for Ericson Villame. But Ateneo learned from game two and tightened up their defense. Team Captain Gab Bagamasbad came up a solid catch deep in the right field, further aggravating NU’s scoring woes.
Salud pitched the entire nine innings, with no runs on nine hits, three walks, and seven strikeouts. Salud and Laurel were both named Most Valuable Players of the season.
