The Ateneo de Manila University Juniors Baseball Team sets in motion their bid for back-to-back championships against the University of Santo Tomas, Tuesday in the UAAP Season 82 Juniors Baseball tournament.
First pitch is at 11:30 a.m. at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Last season’s runners-up National University-Nazareth School and the De La Salle-Zobel collide in the other opening day game at 9 a.m.
The Blue Eaglets carved out a 2-0 sweep of the Bullpups last year to become champions.
Pitcher Zach Urbina, who was named the Finals MVP, will banner Ateneo’s campaign along with last season’s individual awardees first base Matt San Juan (Most RBIs); second base Dax Fabella (Most Home Runs); and center field Marcel Guzman (Most Stolen Bases).
The Eaglets lost to the Bullpups twice in the short double-round eliminations but emerged victorious in the games that mattered last year.
Kiel Olazo, who clinched the season MVP award, Best Hitter and Best Slugger plums, will lead NU’s campaign.
The rematch of last year’s Finals between Ateneo and NU will be on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
