DESPITE MAKING five runs in the final inning, the Ateneo Baseball Team could not claim the lead against rivals the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers as they fell, 7-9, in the opening finals match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Baseball Tournament on March 29, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.

Despite prior meetings between the two UAAP Baseball heavyweights suggesting that this match would be a high-scoring affair, the first five innings saw only a single run made. Season 79 MVP Iggy Escaño was the difference as he brought home his fellow Archer, Paulo Salud, with a line drive in the first inning.

The Taft-based squad then turned on the style at the bottom of the sixth inning, taking advantage of errors from Ateneo’s starting pitcher, Paulo Macasaet, to grab a 3-0 lead. Anton Rosas’s RBI-single and a pitching error from relief pitcher Miggy Angeles gifted DLSU two more runs going into the final three innings, 0-5.

Despite consecutive outs on Miguel Habana and Kiko Andaya, Ateneo’s offense remained resolute at the top of the seventh, knowing that they needed to inch back into the ballgame. Marco Mallari served as the spark for Ateneo’s offense as he stole second after initially walking to first. Co-captain Radito Banzon advanced Mallari with a single before Co-captain Javi Macasaet batted in a run with a hot grounder past the infield. The Blue Eagles added another with heavy-hitter Gino Tantuico smashing the ball to left center to bring home Banzon. DLSU managed to finally stop the bleeding with a flyout, 2-5.

The bottom of the eighth inning was another crucial turning point in the match as DLSU looked to close out the game once and for all. Miscommunication at right center and a single put two runners in scoring position for DLSU before Escaño stepped on the plate to bat. The veteran batter did a little dance and jiggle before blasting the ball to score three crucial runs for his team, 2-8. An RBI-double from Rosas batted in another run to balloon the lead to 2-9. Ateneo relief pitcher Nacho Lozano ended the onslaught with Ateneo hoping for a miracle at the top of the ninth.

While other teams would have crumbled after conceding four demoralizing runs in the penultimate inning, the Ateneo blue batters looked more determined than ever to turn things around. Andaya stepped up to the plate and grounded a single before Mallari added a single of his own. Banzon loaded the bases with another single to get the Blue and White fans on the edge of their seats. A strong hit to right field from J. Macasaet found its way through to bring home Andaya and cut the deficit to six.

With no outs and the bases loaded, Tantuico hit a grand slam to cut the deficit to a surmountable two runs and bring the Ateneo crowd to their feet. Despite having momentum on their side, the blue batters could not follow through with the comeback as DLSU managed to see out the win in the end, 7-9.

The Blue Eagles will face an uphill challenge in their attempt to bring back the UAAP Baseball title back to Loyola Heights. Ateneo will play the Green Archers in the do-or-die Game 2 of the finals on Tuesday, April 2, at the same venue.