SUFFERING THEIR second loss of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Baseball Tournament, the Ateneo Blue Eagles fell at the hands of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters, 5-23. The matchup between the rival schools took place earlier today, March 4, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in the City of Manila.
With this loss, the Blue Eagles remain tied for third with the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the elimination round, currently holding a 1-2 win-loss record.
Starting the top of the first inning, the Blue Eagles stomached an aggressive base running from the Green Batters. Ateneo was not able to contain DLSU’s several base hits, letting Green Batter JR Samuel score on a steal of home, 0-1.
To compensate, the Blue Eagles’ dynamic duo of Waji Magsadia and Joshua De Juras quickly returned the favor for Ateneo, capitalizing on DLSU’s erroneous play to end the first inning in front, 2-1. With momentum now in their favor, the Blue and White showcased incredible defensive effort, as star pitcher Kairo Cueto’s quick reflexes at the mound converted a masterful double-play to preserve the scoreline.
However, after a scoreless bottom of the second inning, Ateneo committed consecutive errors in the top third, which further sullied their rhythm. Right fielder Angelo Bernardo made a defensive mistake, allowing DLSU’s Jose Tantuico to hit a fly ball and reach on an error. Following a dribbling single from DLSU’s Liam De Vera, the Blue Eagles found themselves trailing, 2-5.
Despite a much-needed strikeout from Cueto finally putting an end to DLSU’s offensive onslaught in the top half of the third, the Blue Eagles were unable to tack on any runs, leaving the scoreline at 2-5 at the end of the third inning.
The struggles would continue for the Katipunan-based unit, as Cueto’s earlier brilliance on the mound dissipated with the Green Batters’ proficiency, falling behind further at 2-9. Back-to-back triples from the Taft-based unit further compounded Ateneo’s rough inning, with DLSU’s Kirk Bigcas dropping in more runs, 2-17. Moments after two more runs from the Green Batters, Bernardo finally capped the tumultuous top of the fourth inning, 2-19.
Early offense in the bottom of the fourth inning spurred a run for Ateneo, with Diego Salvador’s double and Aleck Ferrolino’s single notching their third run, 3-19. Another single from Prades added another run, 4-19, but De Juras’s attempt to steal third was quickly read by the DLSU defense, closing out the fourth inning.
Following an additional four runs from the Green Batters in the top of the fifth inning, 4-23, the Blue Eagles kicked off the bottom of the fifth with a double from Joaquin Mariano to put one more run on the board, 5-23. However, this would be the last offensive play of the game, as a final flyout ended the match with Ateneo conceding by mercy rule.
Looking to bounce back from this defeat, Ateneo will face off against the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday, March 8, 2:00 PM at the same venue.
The Lines:
Ateneo (5): 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 – 5 8 6
AdU (23): 1 0 4 14 4 0 0 0 0 – 23 20 2
Current Standings (W-L):
- NU Bulldogs (3-0)
- DLSU Green Batters (3-0)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-2)
- AdU Soaring Falcons (1-2)
- UP Fighting Maroons (1-2)
- UST Golden Sox (0-3)
