Clemente liner lifts Ateneo vs La Salle

Outfielder Johnny Clemente delivered when Ateneo needed it most as the Blue Eagles beat De La Salle for the first time in 13 years in UAAP men’s baseball, 11-10, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial diamond.

Clemente’s line drive to third base scored John Zamora and Stefano Baltao, the two runs the Blue Eagles needed at the bottom of the ninth to stun the defending champion Green Archers, who groped atop the mound during the entire four-hour encounter.

Clemente’s RBI came on relief pitcher Michael Gabriel’s second pitch with the bases loaded. Zamora walked and advanced to second on Baltao’s single to left field. Both advanced on a steal, before Gabriel intentionally walked Sanky Quinto. At that point, the Green Archers, the defending champions who sorely miss Joseph Orellana on the mound, were protecting a 10-9 edge after booking two runs atop the ninth.

The win was only the first in seven games this season for the Blue Eagles, whose pitcher, Edgardo Quiogue, defended the mound and gave up nine hits to the combined 12 of the Archer hurlers. The Green Archers, unable to flash the same strength they showed in bagging the crown last year in the absence of Orellana who has graduated, are 3-4 won-loss overall.

UP is unbeaten in seven on a 15-2 victory over Ateneo Saturday and 12-0 (eight innings) Sunday. UST is 6-1 after blanking NU, 13-0, and stopping Adamson, 15-5, also during the weekend.