Green blood refuels the Green Batters

The Animo runs deep in the veins of the DLSU Green Batters as 13 of the team’s roster came from five other La Salle schools.

Franco “Hashi” Hashimoto and Quito Castro are from De La Salle Zobel while JR Labon played for La Salle Antipolo. Miguel Olmos is representing De La Salle Lipa while Jon Mastrili and Reedley International School graduate Cholo Dominguez once bannered the name of La Salle Green Hills.

Loyalty to La Salle

Hashimoto, Labon and Olmos pointed out that their Green-and-White roots made their decision to play for DLSU easier. Hashimoto added, “I chose La Salle because I like the team and the studies as well [since I am taking up civil] engineering.”

For Castro and Dominguez in a similar manner felt the same way. Castro added, “ I really saw myself going to DLSU since I’ve been to La Salle in Zobel since prep. Technically, I’m a Lasallian my whole life so I saw it [going to La Salle] as a good idea.”

Mastrili, like Hashimoto, pursued studies at DLSU because of the University’s renowned mechanical engineering program. The LSGH graduate only tried out and was awarded a spot into the varsity roster before the season started.

Taking steps together

As rookies for this season, the six initially struggled to be on the same page with one another, but it did not take long for them to get along.

Labon shared, “At first it was hard because we were just starting with the team but after some time, we stick as one. We were already making decisions on our own. Our coaches told us that we need to step up. Even if we are just new to the team, we know that we need to do our part for the team.”

Band of brothers

Despite being new to the team, the rookies have been adjusting well to the team. In addition, the senior members of the squad have also been helping the rookies in their adjustment to collegiate baseball.

Castro furthered, “Whether it’s studies or problems in life, they’ll always be here to help you out.”

Optimistic vision

After a fifth-place finish in season 75, the young bloods are still setting their sights on winning the much-coveted UAAP baseball title that was last achieved by Green Batters current Coach Joseph Orillana a decade ago.

Mastrili said, “I think individually we can compete with other teams, but I think what we lack is experience, and it is what we’ll be attaining this year. Hopefully, we can use it to our advantage next year.”

Aside from the common goal, Dominguez and Castro also have other motivations. The former wants to return the favor his seniors gave him. Dominguez furthered, “I’m actually looking forward to meeting new rookies and explain them my situation, and how I did it. [Also, I’ll be] trying to keep them in the team and get them out of trouble.”

Castro, meanwhile, is trying to regain the form he lost after falling ill to a sickness back in his high school days. For him, getting back to his old shape will help his bid of getting more playing time.

In about a couple of years, these rookies who are learning their lessons the hard way on the diamond will become veterans, brazen with experience. Half a dozen of them will serve as the foundation of the Green Batters in their mission to capture the holy grail of collegiate baseball.