De La Salle University secured its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball tournament with a 9-1 romp of archrival Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Rookie pitcher Barry Oñas delivered an impressive performance in his UAAP debut, helping the Green Batters even their record at 1-1.
La Salle now shares third place with University of the Philippines, trailing behind University of Santo Tomas (1-0), which was still playing at the time of publication.
The 18-year-old standout from Faith Colleges allowed just one unearned run and four hits across 7.2 innings before being retired after a hit-by-pitch to Daniel Fabella.
“Ang ano ko sa kanila since marami-rami kaming nawala na mga seniors, ‘yung mga natira dapat mag-take-over sila sa naging winning tradition ng team. And at the same time, ‘tong mga rookies ang sabi ko, hindi ko kayo itatrato na rookies dito,” said long-time head coach Joseph Orillana, emphasizing the team’s mindset for the season.
“Once naglaro kayo diyan, you are a baseball player for La Salle. You are a fighter diyan sa field; walang rookie-rookie dito. Kapag naglaro kayo, all-out kayo.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Senior infielder JR Alcontin spearheaded De La Salle’s offense, going two-for-four at the plate and setting the tone for the Green Batters.
Rookies Marco Flores and Miguel Agoncillo each drove in an RBI, bringing home Yuan Sumague and Alcontin to provide crucial offensive support — something La Salle lacked in its surprising 6-15 loss to UP last Wednesday.
The Green Batters also capitalized on Ateneo’s defensive lapses, scoring eight of their nine runs off errors.
In the fifth inning, two hit-by-pitches from substitute pitcher Lucas Atentido set up a three-run surge that effectively sealed the win.
UAAP baseball action will resume on March 19 after a brief break, as league officials attend the Little League Philippine Series in Pambujan, Northern Samar.
De La Salle will face Adamson University (0-1) in the third game of the day.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo (0-2) will look to bounce back when it takes on UP (1-1) in the day’s opening game at 7:00 AM.
Manuel Senador suffered his first loss of the season, surrendering four unearned runs in his stint on the mound.
Atentido struck out two batters in six innings of relief but was unable to turn the game around for the Blue Eagles.
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| DLSU | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Ateneo | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
