THE ATENEO Softball Team’s bid to finally break free from their winless ways was foiled anew by the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in crushing fashion, 0-21. The Blue Eagles’ first University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 second round matchup was held earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in the City of Manila.

Today’s outcome officially eliminated the last-seeded Blue and White from postseason contention as their Season 87 record further plummets to 0-5.

With previous performances showing steady improvement from the Ateneo defense, the same trend carried on in the opening phases of today’s contest. While the Blue Eagles were unable to put up points on the board, it was Jessica Daquigan’s defensive efforts that held off UP’s high-octane offense from doing damage, ending the first inning at 0-0. 

However, Ateneo’s momentum from their gutsy opening stand waned in the second inning, as the Loyola Heights-based team failed to generate any significant plays while the Fighting Maroons started to settle into their rhythm, 0-2.

To the dismay of  the Blue Eagles, UP’s Diane Pasco stifled Ateneo to only one base runner, Andrea Daquigan, who reached on a fielding error in the second inning.

Despite the Blue and White’s best efforts on defense, the Diliman-based sluggers managed to further their advantage in the third inning, 0-5, right before subjecting Ateneo to a furious onslaught.

The Blue Eagles were unable to halt a barrage of 14 hits from UP, all at the top of the fourth, which the Fighting Maroons managed to convert into 16 runs throughout the entire inning.

Fighting Maroon Aila Subaldo’s booming hit towards left field sparked the outburst that would eventually put Ateneo away, invoking the mercy rule following the bottom of the fourth, 0-21.

In what is expected to be a highly-anticipated matchup, Ateneo will hope to pull off a stunner against the De La Salle University Lady Batters on Tuesday, March 18, at 10:00 AM in the same venue.

The Lines:

UP (21): 0 2 3 16 x x x – 21 21 1

Ateneo (0): 0 0 0 0 x x x – 0 2 4

Current Standings (W-L):

1. AdU Lady Falcons (4-0)
2. UP Fighting Maroons (4-1)
3. UST Tiger Softbelles (2-3)
4. DLSU Lady Batters (2-3)
5. ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-5)