COMING OFF an impressive performance in their opening match of the second round against the University of the Philippines (UP), the Ateneo Blue Eagles maintained their hold over the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Baseball tournament with a convincing win over National University (NU) on Wednesday, March 1 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Supported offensively by strong showings at the plate from Gino Tantuico and Miguel Habana, the Blue Eagles dominated the diamond, taking the game at (9-3) to stay in prime position in the race for the top two spots on the table.

Progress on the diamond was slow early on, with steady defense from both squads making for a two-inning deadlock on the scoreboard. The third inning then saw the Blue Eagles draw first blood, as the top of the Ateneo batting order opened fire on a helpless NU diamond to earn the first runs of the game. Leadoff Radito Banzon showed the first signs of life at the plate, while Marco Mallari followed up with a hit to land on base, setting the stage for Javi Macasaet to bring a runner home. The third baseman then slammed a solid grounder rolling out of the infield, sending Banzon for the score to put Ateneo up (1-0).

Having gained the offensive momentum, the Blue Eagles sought to control the pace of the game from the field, with starting pitcher Miguel Dumlao pulling the strings from the mound to protect the lead. The bottom of the third inning saw Dumlao fend off the top of the NU batting order, collecting three kills at the plate off three consecutive batters for another scoreless inning.

Ateneo would build up their lead gradually over the next innings, tallying another run from hits by Tantuico and Dino Altomonte at the top of the fourth. After launching a drive over shortstop for a single, Tantuico exploited several crucial infield errors to steal second and third and get in a valuable scoring position. Altomonte then found a hole by third base, sending a rocket past the infielder for a 1-RBI single that allowed Tantuico to score and put the Blue Eagles up another run at (2-0). The top of the fifth then brought about another opportunity for the Blue Eagles to widen the gap, with Mallari and Macasaet again playing the heroes with back-to-back doubles that brought the score to (3-0).

Ahead of the Bulldogs by three well-earned runs, the Blue Eagles then asserted their dominance and blew the competition out of the water with a four-run rally at the top of the sixth. Altomonte again claimed responsibility for another run-batted in after launching a screamer into centerfield for a double that sent home Tantuico, putting Ateneo up (4-0). A walk from NU pitcher Caasalan on Radito Banzon put two runners on base, forcing the Bulldogs’ first pitcher change as Santos took over on the mound.

Santos, however, struggled to hit his target, pitching wild to open the lane for Altomonte to steal home and walking next batters Mallari and Macasaet to load the bases. With the score already at (5-0), the dangerous scoring situation prompted yet another pitcher change from NU just two batters after the last, as Diarao relieved Santos of his duty to diffuse the tension. Head coach Randy Dizer then made a substitution of his own, putting Habana into the batters’ rotation in place of starting designated hitter and cleanup Ryan Hilario. Habana made an immediate impact to produce an even greater deficit on the board, slamming a drive into leftfield for a 2-RBI double to punish NU with two more runs and bring the score to (7-0).

The Bulldogs attempted a comeback at the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of pitching errors to cut back a few runs and stay alive. NU shortstop Malit led the charge late in the game, earning his team their first run with a 1-RBI single to make it a (7-1) game. Wild pitches from Dumlao then proved costly, leaving the plate unprotected as two more NU runners made it home and shortened the gap to (7-3).

The sixth inning mishaps would prove to be NU’s last hope for the game, as the Blue Eagles stole the show in the last few innings. Substitute outfielder Rapho Balagtas took the spotlight at the top of the eighth, landing a base hit in shallow rightfield for a 2-RBI single that brought home Banzon and Habana to make it a (9-3) scoreline. Relief pitcher Nacho Lozano then took over at the mound for Dumlao, holding the Bulldogs at bay until the bottom of the ninth to give Ateneo the win.

Going head to head with the team that dealt them their only loss in the regular season, Dizer is confident that the Blue Eagles are more than ready for their second round duel with the Soaring Falcons.

“We have to work on getting back that first loss,” shares Dizer, “I know my boys are ready, and they want to get it back.”

The victory over NU keeps Ateneo at first place with a 6-1 win-loss record, with their next game against Adamson University (AdU) on Sunday, March 5.

Ateneo Blue Eagles defeat NU Bulldogs, 9-3, in second-round duel

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