THE ATENEO Baseball Team (ABT) capitulated against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters, 1-9, in their second University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 bout. The contest was held earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in the City of Manila.
This setback places the Blue Eagles at a 0-2 win-loss record in the Season 87 Baseball tournament.
Ateneo’s battery struggled to find their rhythm in the first inning, walking the first two batters and failing to contain DLSU’s Yuan Sumague, who swiftly reached third base off a steal and passed ball.
Despite the ABT’s successful pickoff attempt, an additional critical passed ball left ducks on the pond, which made way for Marco Flores to drive in DLSU’s first run with a grounder, 1-0. The Green Batters piled on soon after, adding another run off yet another passed ball before the top of the first came to a close, 2-0.
While Angelo Bernardo drew a walk, a flyout and strikeout left the Blue Eagles with little margin for error. Fortunately for the Blue Eagles, Dax Fabella delivered a double off a flyball, bringing Bernardo home for their first run, 1-2.
Back-to-back groundouts, followed by a sharp connection between catcher Alfy Tueres and second baseman Bernardo, then quickly ended the second inning’s early half. However, DLSU countered with a remarkable double play to end the second frame.
Ateneo ran into trouble in the third, as a series of passed balls and defensive errors allowed the Green Batters to tack on two additional runs, 4-1. The bottom half told a similar story, with Barry Oñas using just seven pitches to shut Ateneo out.
Even with Lucas Atendido relieving for M Senador in the fourth, DLSU placed runners on the corners via a bunt and single, which they capitalized on to acquire a 6-1 lead. Ateneo then failed to respond in the bottom half, as the Green Batters promptly recorded three outs.
The Taft-based squad continued their offensive dominance at the top of the fifth inning, with Joseph Alcontin bagging a single to spark a series of runs in their favor. Coupled with a fielder error committed by the Blue Eagles, Alcontin copped two Runs-Batted-In for an 8-1 lead. Bigcas on third swiftly followed suit by stealing home base which Ateneo failed to curb, 9-1.
Despite their struggles, the Blue Eagles showed increased determination at the bottom of the fifth, as they sought to interrupt DLSU’s momentum, with Bernardo hitting a single to bring Zeke Laygo to second base. However, the Green Batters boasted their unrelenting defense to pick off Laygo, denying the Blue Eagles the chance for a surge.
At the beginning of the sixth frame, DLSU’s Agon De Vera was awarded first base after Atendido missed the strike zone four times. However, the Green Batter eventually capped off the frame for La Salle after stealing third base.
The seventh inning was another empty frame for both squads. The Blue Eagles maintained their defensive composure on the outfield, while DLSU pitcher Oñas was successful in striking out Ferrolino in the latter half.
Green Batter Sumague scored a single at the top of the eighth inning and attempted to advance to second base, prompting pick-off attempts from Ateneo. However, Atendido maintained his composure at the center to strike out Miguel Agoncillo.
Meanwhile, the bottom of the eighth saw an offensive spark for the Katipunan-based squad, as Casanova hit a single followed by a steal on the second. The Blue Eagles managed to contain La Salle’s pick-off attempts while Fabella was hit by the pitch to advance to first base.
Holding onto hope, Magsadia showcased his instinctive batting abilities, earning a walk against Oñas. However, Aquino was unable to outplay the rookie pitcher, striking out to end the frame.
More offensive conversions from DLSU characterized the ninth inning, courtesy of De Vera and Flores locking in crucial hits and a double play to bring Flores to third base. The bottom of the frame then allowed De Vera to seal the victory for La Salle as the pitcher, taking out the rest of the Blue Eagles’ batters, 9-1.
Still in search of their first win, the Blue Eagles will face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, March 19, at 7:00 AM in the same venue.
The Lines:
DLSU (9): 2 0 2 2 3 0 0 0 0 – 9 8 2
Ateneo (1): 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 1 5 5
Current Standings (W-L):
- NU Bulldogs (2-0)
- UST Golden Sox (1-0)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-1)
- DLSU Green Batters (1-1)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (0-1)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-2)
