The DLSU Green Batters sit soundly at the top standings as they trumped their rivals, the ADMU Blue Eagles, via mercy rule, 16-5, earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Memorial Baseball Diamond. With the win, La Salle is assured of a finals appearance.
The Taft-based squad displayed the lethality of their offense as the 11-run lead at the end of the seventh inning prematurely ended the match. Additionally, the duo of Luis Miñana and Anton Rosas held a determined Blue Eagles side to only five runs.
After the game, Miñana, who recorded seven strikeouts in seven innings of work, spoke about the team’s mindset as they remain undefeated in the second round. “After our two straight losses in the first round, we all huddled up and thought about the few things that we lacked and one of those was our killer instinct. When we brought that today, and us being loud, it really helped us [get the win],” he shared.
With neither team scoring in the first inning, the Green Batters erupted to score six runs in the succeeding inning. La Salle started the barrage off a walk with the bases loaded, followed by a two-run single by Boo Barandiaran that was sent to right center field. Escaño then continued the streak as he hit a three-run homer that was ripped over the left field wall, which prompted the Ateneo coaching staff to replace Paolo Macasaet with Miggy Angeles early on in the match.
ADMU tried to respond right away, as Blue Eagle Gino Tantuico led off the bottom of the second inning by crushing one over the outfield wall for a solo home run. However, Miñana, who kept his composure, thwarted a potential comeback as he calmly retired the side.
The fifth inning saw the Green Batters once again explode on offense as they scored another five runs, which was highlighted by Barandiaran’s two-run double that was hit to deep left field. The Blue Eagles attempted to claw their way back into the game as Javi Macasaet sent a ball to left center for a two-run double of his own. Despite their efforts, Miñana responded by striking out the next two batters to maintain a six-run lead, 11-5.
In the seventh inning, the team from Taft cemented their lead as they scored five more runs, highlighted by Diego Lozano’s two-run home run that was sent over the right field wall. With an 11-run advantage, La Salle’s defense made quick work of ADMU to secure the mercy rule victory.
When asked about what was different in today’s game compared to the first round encounter with the Blue Eagles, head coach Joseph Orillana stated, “Nag-usap usap din kasi kami na must win yung game na ‘to, and at the same time, never pa nanalo ang Ateneo sa atin twice sa elimination round, so sabi ko sa kanila na eto yung bawi natin at ipakita natin sa kanila na hindi tayo papayag na matalo ng basta basta. Ang sabi ko sa kanila, focus lang sa game tapos attack yung pitcher. Magandang combination lang ng pitching at hitting, sabi ko tatalunin natin ang kalaban.”
(We talked about how this game is a must-win game. At the same time, Ateneo has never beaten us twice in the elimination round, so I told them that we have to show that we don’t go down easily. I told them to focus during the game and attack the pitcher. With good hitting and pitching, I told them that we would beat our opponent.)
The Green-and-White hopes to end the second round of the tournament undefeated as they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, March 20, 10 am at the same venue.
