During the last six years, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles have been a fixture in the Finals, winning the championship four times. The UAAP Season 80 Baseball Tournament however will crown a new champion as the De La Salle University Green Batters ousted the defending champions, 11-8, Sunday afternoon at the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| DLSU (8-1) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 5 | |||
| ADMU (5-4) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 8 |
“Nakita ko sa kanila na they wanted it. This year, nag-sacrifice sila,” said La Salle head coach Joseph Orillana as the Green Batters missed the Finals a year ago after winning the Season 78 tournament. “Sabi ko sa kanila, lahat ng gagawin nila sa practice, nag-rereflect sa game. Maganda yung dahan-dahan silang nag-mature this season. Kahit dumikit yung Ateneo kanina, lumaban pa rin sila.”
The game itself though was a high-scoring affair while the result was still in doubt up until the eighth inning.
With the game knotted at 8-all, Paolo Salud connected on a single to bring home Paul Naguit for the go-ahead run. Later on, a catching error by first baseman Tres Sarmiento led to an Andre Palacios run to add to La Salle’s cushion entering the last inning.
“Fresh yung mga pitchers ko. Si Paulo Macasaet medyo sunog na. Naging patient sila especially sa paluan,” recalled Orillana as Miggy Angeles pitched during the eigth inning after replacing the reigning best pitcher an inning before.
Another error by Sarmiento during the ninth inning paved the way for a Josh Salinas run to extend La Salle’s lead. Arvin Herrera and the La Salle fielders were able to hold off the Blue Eagles to close out the contest.
Even with reigning Most Valuable Player Iggy Escano and Cholo Domingo on the sidelines, La Salle had 13 hits in the contest. Salud led the offense with four hits while Diego Lozano and Kiko Gesmundo had two RBIs each.
“Ganun kalaki yung tiwala ko sa team mas lalo na yung bench ko. Naniwala sila at nag-deliver sila sa execution of play,” Orillana remarked.
The Blue Eagles, who battled back from an early deficit and even took 6-5 lead during the sixth inning, committed an uncharacteristic eight errors in the contest — majority coming at first base.
Radito Banzon, who is nursing a bum ankle, started the contest and had two hits. Dan Laurel and Enrico Untalan did not play for the Blue Eagles due to injuries.
The Green Batters will face the Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, March 7 in a Finals preview. The Blue Eagles end their campaign on the same day against the UST Golden Sox.
“In the Finals, naka-depende yung preparation namin sa recovery ni Iggy at ni Cholo,” closed Orillana.
