Although the DLSU Green Batters were unable to repeat as champions in their UAAP Season 79 campaign, the drastic improvement of sophomore Ignacio Escaño served as one of the few bright spots for a team that expected nothing less than a championship. A testament to Escaño’s stellar performance was him garnering five out of the nine individual awards, including the coveted tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The former La Salle Green Hills star led the league in batting, slugging, RBI (runs batted in), and tied AdU Soaring Falcon Jerome Yenson for the most homeruns. In his sophomore season, Escaño normed a .455 batting average, .879 slugging percentage, 14 RBI, and three home runs.
When asked what changed, the MVP quickly attributed his success to his work ethic, saying, “Well I always just try to be the hardest person out there every single day. And that goes for all the aspects that involve my game such as working hard in practice, trying to get my body to the best playing shape possible, and discipline with the food I put into my body.”
Last year, Escaño was not always penciled into the La Salle line-up due to the immense talent of the team and his lack of a permanent defensive position. This year, however, the second year player found a permanent home in the fourth spot of DLSU’s lineup and serving as the team’s everyday designated hitter.
However, there were also certain stretches during the season where head coach Joseph Orillana would place Escaño to play first base out of necessity. Despite this, the Green Batters needed every bit of his offensive production.
Talking about his success at the plate, Escaño said a few tweaks in terms of his approach offensively helped him this past season. “I also made a few changes with things like that bat I used, and my approach in the plate, which I think really helped.”
He continued, saying, “Those things, coupled with the fact that I had no more rookie jitters and had a lot more valuable experience, I think, really made the difference.”
One of the rare highlights of the team came when Escaño blasted a home run to left center field to help the Green Batters to a 9-8 come-from-behind win against the NU Bulldogs.
For him, the key to everything was just hard work and the constant want to get better. His dedication to staying fit, through dieting and working out in the gym, is what eventually got him to the level he was in the recently concluded season. It was also the constant support of his teammates that helped him become the dominant player he was.
Along with this, Escaño also turned into one of the team’s most vocal leaders throughout the season. In every game, he was constantly seen cheering on his teammates or barking out orders as he deemed fit.
Looking forward, the Green Batter explained he still wants to improve in many areas. He knows he and the entire team will have to be better if they want to reclaim the championship.
“Next year, I still wanna keep improving on my hitting because even if I already see that as my strength, I still wanna get better and never settle. Another thing I look to add to my game is good defense and speed because I strive to be as complete a player as I can be,” he said.
As the team looks on to next season, Escaño will be relied upon, not only for his offensive ability, but also his invaluable leadership.
Honorable mention: Kyra Dimaandal (women’s football), Desiree Cheng (women’s volleyball), Betto Orendain (men’s tennis), Tin Tiamzon (women’s volleyball), Kerbi Almonte (men’s football), and Kyle Uy (men’s taekwondo)
