Joao Severino, James Nisnisan lead Adamson’s rout of Ateneo in UAAP Baseball

ADAMSON University clinched its second victory in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball tournament with a dominant 10-0 shutout of Ateneo de Manila University in seven innings, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

Building on their offensive momentum from the top of the ninth inning in their suspended game against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last Sunday, the Soaring Falcons erupted in the fifth inning to soar to a provisional third-place standing with a 2-2 win-loss record.

“Ang sabi ko sa kanila, dapat lahat ng games i-treat nila na parang championship game. So, ‘yung ginawa nila sa UP, buti tinuloy nila dito against Ateneo. Mabuti rin nung first three innings hindi rin nakaka-score ‘yung Ateneo kahit may runners; kaya nitong mga late innings mas lalo silang nagkumpiyansa,” said head coach Lando Binarao.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Designated hitter Joao Severino embraced his role, delivering two hits in four at-bats during the fourth and fifth innings, where Adamson broke the game wide open.

The 23-year-old Sta. Elena High School product also recorded an RBI, bringing home Lawrence Mercado to extend the lead to 4-0 and ignite a six-run explosion in the fifth.

Ivan Jonson contributed two hits and two RBIs, scoring Kurt Cabanillas and Severino, while John Matanguihan and John Mark Tupig chipped in two hits each in Adamson’s relentless offensive display.

The Soaring Falcons also excelled on defense, anchored by rookie pitcher James Nisnisan. The Davao City native earned the win after holding Ateneo to just two hits—courtesy of Luis Magsadia and Daniel Fabella in the third inning.

His defense backed him up in the same frame with a crucial double play: Matthew San Juan grounded out to second baseman Jonson, who threw to first baseman Mercado for the out, before Fabella was caught returning to second, with Matanguihan relaying the ball back to Jonson.

“Mabuti nga gano’n ang nangyari kasi kung ganyan laro nila past games namin, baka wala pa kaming talo. So, sana sa next games and sa second round, gano’n ang maging attitude nila sa laro,” Binarao remarked, praising Adamson’s most complete performance of the season on both offense and defense.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Meanwhile, Ateneo closed the first round with a 1-4 record after rookie pitcher Lucas Atentido endured Adamson’s six-run barrage in the fifth inning.

The PAREF Southridge product held his ground early, allowing just three runs in the first five innings before the Soaring Falcons broke through to put the game out of reach.