Blue Batters kick off title defense with win over Adamson, La Salle stuns NU

By Anton Roxas Posted Jan 6th 2014

Ateneo de Manila University began its quest for a second straight championship by scoring a dominating 15-3 victory over Adamson University on the opening day of the UAAP Season 76 Baseball tournament held on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Adamson University actually took an early 3-0 lead before the defending champions came alive in the bottom of the second inning by tallying two runs. The Blue Batters displayed excellent defense by preventing the Falcons from scoring for the rest of the game and piled up 13 more runs to clinch their win.

In the second match, De La Salle University emerged victoriously over last year’s finalist National University, winning, 5-2. The Green Batters were off to a hot start after tallying the runs in the very first inning.

“Sabi ko, from the first inning, attack kaagad kasi kailangan yung naauna kami kesa kami ang naghahabol. First inning palang pukpukan na,” said DLSU Head Coach Joseph Orillana.

After a dismal fifth place finish (3 wins, 7 losses) in last year’s tournament, Orillana is aiming for a better result in his second season with the Green Batters.

“Malaki yung expectations ko sa kanila dahil maganda yung naging training namin para sa UAAP at yung naging result sa mga tournaments nung nakaraan. Kailangan pumasok kami ng Final Four.”

Orillana will be relying on talented pitcher Carlos Muñoz, second year player Cholo Dominguez and seniors Basti Uichico, Eduard Flores and Dino Imperial.

The third match of the day featured the battle between the University of Sto. Tomas and the University of the Philippines. However, the game was put to a halt after the sixth inning as there was insufficient lighting at the venue. UP was leading UST 7-5 at the time of the stoppage.