THE WOES continued for the Ateneo Blue Eagles as they fell to a 0-3 win-loss record after a runless loss against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 0-6. This University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 match took place earlier today at the UP Baseball Field in Diliman, Quezon City. 

The Fighting Maroons started their relentless attack after suppressing the Blue and White to no runs in the top of the first inning. With the bases loaded at one point, UP started their onslaught, jumping to an early advantage with three runs sent home, 0-3.

Scoreless second and third innings were recorded by both Katipunan squads after great pitching and textbook defense. Team Captains Alia Tuprio and Rocio Macasaet would be the only Blue Eagles to record hits in the two periods, with the latter reaching second base at the top of the third inning.

Tuprio’s hit to advance herself and Julia Carsi Cruz brought promise at the top of the fourth, but a caught bunt out ended any chance of a run for Ateneo. Once the Fighting Maroons stepped up at the bottom of the inning, UP’s Aquino smoked a hit that led to an inside-the-park home run, increasing the Fighting Maroons’ advantage to 4-0.

Martina Nacion initiated the top of the fifth on a high note with a double, though a strikeout to Asya Tuprio and a double play dashed any hope of a run. UP’s run of form would continue as Ricca Vispo blew the defense wide open with a triple. The Katipunan neighbors then added a fifth run to their lead with Kyla Aala’s sacrifice fly to Mendiola prompting Vispo to run home. 

UP closer Kacelyn Valino’s pinpoint pitches struck out the Blue Eagles with a 1-2-3 top of the sixth. Ateneo would then concede another run to a catching error, though a double play by Tuprio and Nacion ended the bottom half, 6-0, before the Fighting Maroons were able to deal any further damage.

The Blue and White failed to notch any further hits in the seventh as they succumbed to yet another 1-2-3 inning to UP’s determined closer to signal the end of the match.

Coming from their first three matchups, Macasaet sees to it that she and her squad remain constant in learning and developing regardless of win or defeat. 

“For me, I need to improve on my hitting as well as [on] my base running. I guess collectively, we should all work on our base running as well because we had a left on bases,” Macasaet said.

Nonetheless, the center fielder noted that she saw tangible progress in her unit’s collective performance. “We really were able to improve as compared to our previous games,” she stated.

The Blue Eagles will continue their quest for a victory in their next game against the Adamson University Lady Falcons. This match will take place on Wednesday, March 6 at 3:00 PM in the same venue.

Editor’s Note: Alia Tuprio is the Broadcast News Editor of The GUIDON.