Seeking redemption after a heartbreaking Finals loss to the NU Bulldogs, the DLSU Green Batters launch a determined campaign for the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Baseball Tournament to regain their crown.
In an attempt to bring the championship back to Taft, the team has undergone several changes in their approach over the offseason. Despite losing several key seniors, a talented batch of rookies are eager to step up and help La Salle chase its third championship trophy in four seasons, with its last victory occurring in Season 85.
Leading off
With a drastically different lineup due to the departure of numerous starters following Season 86, it is a monumental task for new Team Captain Agon De Vera to lead this new-look team on their quest for redemption.
Despite the challenges of building a new foundation, A. De Vera was optimistic about the heights the current team can reach. “‘Yung rookies namin ay very talented; so parang alam na namin na pag-alis ng mga seniors, kaya naman ng mga bata na i-fill in ‘yung positions nila,” he claimed.
(Our rookies are very talented; so we knew that when the seniors left, the young players could fill in their positions well.)
Touted as one of the Philippines’ best young talents in the sport, the two-way player was invited to play for the country after the previous season. A. De Vera expressed how this honor has impacted his new leadership role, “Sa national team, ako ang pinakabata kaya doon may mga seniors na tumutulong sa akin every game. Ako naman ‘yung senior sa team na ito, so ganun rin ‘yung gagawin ko sa mga bata kasi naghihintay [lagi] ‘yan ng mga advice [galing] sa mga seniors.”
(In the national team, I was the youngest so I had seniors who helped me every game. In this team, I am the senior, so I will do the same for the young players because they are always waiting for advice from the seniors.)
Stepping up
With huge shoes to fill, the Green Batters rookies face new challenges, compelling them to step up their game as they go into a higher level of competition. Despite the expectations, Miguel Agoncillo shared how the team’s adaptive mindset helped them handle the pressure. “They told us from the start that being a rookie is just a label and it doesn’t define us as a baseball player. When we wear our jersey, there’s no such thing as being a rookie anymore. So, we have to really just trust in our skills and preparations because they picked us for a reason,” Agoncillo explained.
As for Barry Oñas, the shift from high school to collegiate baseball was “uncomparable,” especially with the electrifying energy of the UAAP crowd. “Nung high school po…parang normal day lang po; no pressure. Pero ngayon…nakakatakot magkamali kasi marami pong nakatingin na [mga] tao.”
(During high school…it felt like a normal day; no pressure. But now,…I’m scared to make mistakes because there are so many people watching.)
In spite of these challenges, each rookie had a defining moment when they truly felt like they belonged to the team. Liam De Vera shared how the team’s unwavering support helped him overcome his self-doubt: “Baseball is a game of failure. Pero ‘yung mga seniors namin, hindi ka ido-down kapag nagkamali ka. Imbes na pagalitan ka, sinasabihan ka lang nila na ‘bawi lang.’”
(Baseball is a game of failure. But our seniors don’t bring you down when you make a mistake. Instead of scolding you, they just tell you to bounce back.)
Agoncillo remembered seeing his name in the starting lineup for the first game this season: “Obviously, the nerves and pressure came in, but I talked to Kuya Agon and one of my second-year teammates. They told me that there’s a reason why I was put in that spot and given this opportunity—because my teammates and coaches trust me. That’s when I realized that even if I make mistakes or things don’t go my way, I still have my family behind me.”
For Oñas, the turning point came after his hard work was finally on notice. “Nung unang training, hindi pa ako masyadong pinapansin. Pero nung tumagal-tagal, nung nakita nila ‘yung effort ko; doon ko naramdaman na part na ako ng team.
(At first, I wasn’t really noticed during training. But over time, when they saw my effort, that’s when I started feeling like I was really part of the team.)
As the season progresses, these rookies are set to break barriers and exceed everyone’s expectations, proving that they are more than just new recruits. With the trust and bond of their teammates, the guidance of their seniors, and their own hard work, they are ready to step up and conquer the challenges ahead.
Chasing on
The Green Batters began their UAAP Season 87 campaign with a tough 15-6 loss against the UP Fighting Maroons before bouncing back with a dominant 9-1 victory over the ADMU Blue Eagles. Captain A. De Vera lauded the two displays even with the initial stumble, particularly praising the team’s rookies. “Maganda na sa dalawang games namin, ‘yung mga rookies maganda na ng nakikitang performance. So, we’re really proud sa mga bata na maganda ‘yung nilalaro.”
(Our first two games were good; the rookies showed good performances. So, we’re really proud that the rookies had good displays.)
The national team standout also expressed that this batch of Green Batters went into the season with renewed vigor. “‘Yung ginawa naming motivation, ‘yung mga losses namin last season especially nung finals na,” he explained, adding how injuries could have contributed to their losses last season. “So, in the offseason, mas [focus] namin is sa strength and conditioning, kahit sa mga recovery.”
(We made that our motivation, our losses last season, especially from the finals. So, in the offseason, we focused more on strength and conditioning, and even recovery.)
Despite the opening-day hiccup, the DLSU Green Batters remain firm in the hunt for gold with a 2-1 standing. They are primed to move forward with all the lessons from the past and fresh faces eager to make their mark in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Tournament, all taking place in the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s March 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSMarch2025.
