Adamson University took the rag off Ateneo de Manila University, scoring a come-from-bind 9-8 walk-off victory to close its UAAP Season 86 Baseball Tournament first-round campaign on Sunday at the UP Diliman Baseball Field.
The Soaring Falcons tied their victims at 2-3 for fourth and fifth places, and it all took mental fortitude to trigger the upset against the Blue Eagles.
With just one out, Kean Matanguihan sent a throw from Ateneo substitute pitcher Joshua De Juras to third baseman Angelo Bernardo.
He unfortunately fumbled on his throw home to catcher Joaquin Casanova.
The miscue in the said attempt to put out John Matanguihan instead turned into the game-winner for the latter.
“Actually yung results, parehas lang sa previous games namin. Buti nung nagpalit ako ng pitcher naka-hold, at the same time, hindi sila umi-score. Kaya medyo nabuhayan kami,” said head coach Lando Binarao on their second win.
“May dalawang palo pa naman, makaka-score pa naman kami. Tapos nagka-connect naman palo namin, tapos nag-commit naman sila ng error, kaya nahabol namin yung lamang na apat,” the long-time head coach conitnued.
Trailing by a solitary run in the final inning, Keano Reyes, who was batting for Kurt Cabanillas, drove in a huge single to the left field to start the frame.
Then another hit from John Matanguihan to the same area sent runners on the first and second bases.
Ateneo then decided to load the bases with Kenneth Delos Santos given the free pass.
Adamson then pounced on the opportunity.
Jose Mercado sent Ivan Jonson, who ran for Reyes, home for the tying run, putting pressure on the Ateneo defense and leading to that huge error from the latter.
The Blue Eagles led to the sixth inning at 8-3, using a four-run binge off three consecutive hits from Daniel Fabella, Geof Magsadia, and Ethan Mitschiener.
However, seven errors throughout the game – including that lapse in the very last play, doomed the Katipunan-based side to a third setback.
The Lines:
Ateneo 1 0 1 0 2 4 0 0 0 – 8 11 7
AdU 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 3 2 – 9 11 3
