THE ATENEO Softball Team closed their campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Softball tournament with a final loss against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Softbelles, 1-10. The season finale was held earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in the City of Manila.
Today’s loss ends Ateneo’s season at 0-8, officially sealing their fifth-place finish in the league standings.
Starting the top of the first inning on offense, Team Captain Rocio Macasaet put herself in an early scoring position with a hit into shallow left field for a triple. Despite Co-Captain Raya Franco being struck out looking, Czelle Basa hit a single to bat the skipper in, 1-0.
However, the Katipunan-based squad failed to continue applying pressure, with Asya Tuprio’s ball flying out and Andrea Daquigan ending their stint at bat.
The Tiger Softbelles then got going early after Erika Fernandez’s double batted Aiza Ganciar in to tie the game, 1-1. The Blue Eagles struggled to hold the España-based side as Ryra Mae Zafra, Lyka Blanco, and Anne Patricio secured consecutive RBIs to take a three-run lead, 4-1. Fortunately for the Blue Eagles, Tuprio stopped the bleeding momentarily, retiring UST after catching Teresa Blanco’s fly ball.
Ateneo went cold at bat at the top of the second after Jessica Daquigan and Rizelle Bulatao struck out swinging and Burns Yap grounded out. UST continued their blitz against the Ateneo defense, going on another streak of three runs courtesy of Ganciar, Fernandez, and Zafra, 7-1.
The third inning opened with back-to-back strikeouts from Bulatao and Macasaet, which kept the Blue Eagle offense at bay, with UST pitcher Jenny Teves continuing her mastery on the mound. Eager to make the most of her last game as a Blue Eagle, Franco roped a single into left field to provide the Blue and White a spark on the offensive end. However, this spark quickly fizzled as Teves struck out Basa to keep the scoreline at 1-7.
Despite the deficit, the Blue Eagles’ efforts on defense at the bottom half of the inning kept the team competitive. A punch-out at first base followed by an excellent catch by Yap in center field drew the inning’s first two outs. Third baseman Basa then sealed the third inning as the third baseman caught a screamer off the bat which drew cheers from the Blue and White fans in attendance.
However, Ateneo’s momentum dissipated as three quick outs at the top of the fourth inning swiftly retired the Blue and White offense, and a succeeding monster triple from UST’s Patricio caused the Blue Eagles’ chances to dim. Following a catching error at first base, the Tiger Softbelles saw their margin grow to the largest of the match, 10-1.
Relief pitcher A. Daquigan got her first chance on the mound this season, as the future Atenean star made quick work of the final batter to cap the bottom of the fourth.
The fifth inning proved to be the final nail in Ateneo’s coffin as Yap, Fiona Baguiwet and Bulatao were forced out by the Tiger Softbelle defense, handing them their final defeat of Season 87 via mercy rule, 1-10.
In their last season with the Blue Eagles, graduating seniors Macasaet, Franco, and J. Daquigan talked about their experiences donning the Blue and White throughout their collegiate careers.
“It was definitely a One Big Fight, especially being known as the underdogs in the UAAP. You have to put in the work, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Franco shared.
The elder Daquigan sister also echoed how thankful she was to represent the Blue Eagles.
“Gusto ko rin magpasalamat sa Ateneo for accepting me as their student-athlete, and also sa mga sumusuporta sa team namin, nagpapasalamat din ako sa inyo,” she said.
(I’d also like to thank Ateneo for accepting me as their student-athlete, and also to the team’s supporters, I’m really thankful for all of you as well.)
Meanwhile, the season was particularly special for Team Captain Macasaet, who carries with her the lasting blue-blooded legacy of the Macasaet family.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to represent Ateneo, and I am really thankful for the memories, experiences, the people I was able to meet, and the coaches I was able to play under. What is nice is that instead of passing it on to another sibling, I was able to pass it on to my current teammates,” the skipper added.
With the season now officially in the books, the Blue Eagles will look to further rebuild their roster following the departure of their three mainstays.
The Lines:
Ateneo (0): 1 0 0 0 0 x x – 1 3 0
UST (0): 4 3 3 0 x x x – 10 9 5
Current Standings:
- AdU Lady Falcons (7-0)
- UP Fighting Maroons (5-2)
- DLSU Lady Batters (3-4)
- UST Tiger Softbelles (3-4)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (0-8)
