Ateneo outlasts Adamson in slugfest to secure breakthrough win in UAAP Men’s Baseball

Ateneo de Manila University averted a massive meltdown, edging Adamson University, 18–14, for a breakthrough win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball Tournament on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

With the game tied at 14-all entering the ninth inning, the Blue Eagles applied pressure against Christian Basan, forcing two consecutive passed balls that allowed Alfonso Tueres and Khristian Ferolino to score and restore Ateneo’s lead.

Adamson then turned to James Nisnisan on the mound, but the national team upstart could not shut the door. He surrendered two more runs as the deficit ballooned to four.

Rookie pitcher Mikaelo Osorio rose to the occasion to seal the near four-hour marathon.

Tasked with securing the final three outs, he delivered back-to-back strikeouts against Ivan Jonson and Laurence Mercado to set the tone.

Kean Matanguihan drew a walk to keep Adamson alive, but Osorio forced Christian Cardenas into the final out to clinch the victory.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

“Masakit sa’min ‘yung tinawag na homerun, pero nakita naming mga coaches na talagang pinatunayan nila na kaya nilang mag-comeback sa pangyayaring ‘yon. At natuwa rin kami na ‘yung pitcher namin nag-deliver na, at natuwa rin kami na andito na sila para manalo,” said first-year head coach Pepe Jose.

The win created a logjam in the standings, with Ateneo, Adamson, University of Santo Tomas, and De La Salle University all tied at 1–1. They are one game behind National University and one game ahead of University of the Philippines in this tournament, held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

Ateneo appeared poised to end the contest early after erupting for 11 runs in the second inning to build a 14–8 cushion. Angelo Bernardo sparked the rally with two RBI singles to left field.

Dale Prades blasted a triple down the right-field line to score two runs, bringing home Luis Magsadia and Joshua De Juras. Joaquin Mariano added a single and later drew a walk to produce three runs — twice scoring Daniel Fabella and once driving in Osorio.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

However, Adamson clawed its way back.

Kier Plaza launched the season’s first home run in the sixth inning, sending a two-run shot over the right-field fence that also scored Leonel Matanguihan, who had earlier earned a walk.

The Soaring Falcons piled up eight more runs from the fifth to the eighth innings to force a 14-all deadlock.

Adamson even threatened to take the lead in the eighth, but Osorio quelled the rally by sending Nisnisan back to the dugout for the second out of the frame.

Mark Simbajon paced the Soaring Falcons with three hits and four RBIs, though his final hit in the eighth inning failed to extend their surge.

Leonel and Kean Matanguihan contributed two hits apiece as Adamson tallied 12 hits in total.

Ateneo will look to build a winning streak when it faces rival De La Salle University on Wednesday. On the other hand, Adamson takes on the NU Bulldogs in the second of the three-game slate.