THE ATENEO Baseball Team absorbed its fifth loss in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Baseball tournament at the hands of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Sox, 3-11. The second round opener was held earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in the City of Manila.
A rough start plagued the Blue and White, as an early error by third baseman Waji Magsadia placed the Golden Sox at an early advantage with a runner on first base. Taking full advantage of their runner in scoring position, a fielder’s choice RBI for Jesus Cabigao placed UST in the driver’s seat, 1-0. With one run already on the board, the Blue Eagles locked in on their defensive prowess, ending the top half of the inning with a stunning double play orchestrated by Luis Casanova.
On the offensive side, however, the Blue Eagles were unable to find their footing against ace pitcher Harry Geronimo, who quickly retired Casanova and Magsadia. Looking to provide a spark to Ateneo’s offense, a five-pitch walk for Dax Fabella, followed by a single into the outfield for Anton Odulio, gave the Blue Eagles an opportunity to tack on their first runs of the matchup. Unfortunately, UST’s Geronimo seized the momentum from the Blue and White, painting the corners for another strikeout to close the first inning, 1-0.
Despite the second frame opening up with a single from UST, the Ateneo defense kept their poise, swiftly earning the first two outs of the inning following a fly out to left fielder Joshua de Juras. However, the Golden Sox remained unfazed by the Blue Eagles’ glove wizardry, extending their lead with back-to-back hits, 3-0.
After another double from the UST offense, a ground out to Ateneo second baseman Angelo Bernardo stopped the Golden Sox from further causing damage, keeping the margin at a playable 0-3. With the Blue Eagle offense still unable to get out of the gates, the España-based squad pounced with three quick outs to end the second inning.
A few heads-up plays from catcher Alfonso Tueres gave the Blue Eagles life at the top of the third inning. After being thrown out at first base, the Golden Sox were left scoreless in the third, with the Atenean defense picking off multiple runners to send the inning into the bottom half.
With their backs against the wall, a booming double for Fabella kicked off the latter half of the third inning, as the Blue Eagles looked to come back from their early deficit. Even with runners in the corners of the diamond, the Blue Eagles still failed to capitalize on the opportunity to score, as both Odulio and De Juras were thrown out to finish the third frame, 0-3.
The fourth inning then saw both teams struggle to add on runs, as neither side was able to manufacture offense.
However, the fifth inning proved to be the turning point in the matchup, as the Blue Eagles committed multiple errors to provide the Golden Sox prime positions on the diamond. After increasing their lead to 4-0 following an error by Bernardo, the Golden Sox tallied three more runs in the top of the fifth to blow the Blue Eagles away, 7-0.
Two outs at the onset of the fifth inning looked to be the final dagger for the Blue Eagles, but consecutive walks by UST pitcher Geronimo loaded the bases for the Blue and White. With only one out remaining in the bottom of the fifth, a scary moment occurred as Luis Mendoza was struck in the helmet, forcing in the first run for Ateneo, 1-7. As action continued after Mendoza was attended to, catcher Tueres hit a fly out to left field to end the inning.
Aiming to build on their first run, the Blue Eagles showcased a glimmer of defensive prowess as they forced a double play on the Golden Sox, instantly placing their opponents on two outs. Despite this momentous play, Ateneo failed to contain UST’s Timothy Caldo, as he went on to hit a ground ball and reached on an error by Magsadia, securing an RBI and placing Ateneo in a 1-8 hole.
This halted momentum continued to haunt the Blue Eagle hitters as they suffered three consecutive outs ended by Zeke Laygo being tagged out at second base. Taking advantage of the slumping Ateneo, UST’s Prince Geronimo managed to capture another run by the Golden Sox, 9-1.
Not looking to back down despite the large deficit, Angelo Bernardo tripled on a fly ball, making room for Rafa Aquino to reach the plate, 2-9. In the very next play, Bernardo secured yet another run, scoring on a passed ball, while Mendoza was gifted a walk, 3-9.
In an instant shift in fortune, however, Ateneo gave up a triple and a fly out to UST, extending their deficit to eight at the top of the eighth frame, 3-11. The final two innings yielded similar results as both teams traded walks and outs, with neither team capturing another run, sealing the defeat for the Blue Eagles.
Continuing their search for their second win of Season 87, the Blue Eagles will face the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 PM in the same venue.
The Lines:
UST (11): 1 2 0 0 4 1 1 2 0 – 11 0 0
Ateneo (3): 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 – 3 0 0
Current Standings (W-L):
- NU Bulldogs (5-0)
- DLSU Green Batters (4-2)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (3-2)
- UP Fighting Maroons (2-4)
- UST Golden Sox (2-4)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-5)
