Ateneo clouters seek UAAP title vs Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo guns for its first UAAP baseball crown against a beleaguered National U side today in Game Two of the Season 75 finals at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Blue Batters took the opener of the short race-to-two series last Friday, 6-2, and they would want to make the most out of this opportunity to record history for the school in the 12 noon match.

They are also out to erase the stigma of their failed title bid last year.

“We remember what happened last year so we hope to finish it off in Game Two,” Ateneo coach Emerson Barandoc said in Filipino.

Ateneo also took Game One last year only to yield the last two to the Bulldogs, who snapped a title drought of more than 40 years.

“If we continue to play the way we did in Game One, I think we can go all the way,” said Barandoc.

Ateneo, the top team at the end of the elims, had beaten NU three times this season.

But the Bulldogs are not about to just relinquish the only UAAP crown they have in their possession.

“It’s not over yet. We were also down, 0-1, last year and managed to pull it off so I’m still confident of our chances,” said NU coach Saki Bacarisas in Filipino.

Meanwhile, unbeaten Adamson Lady Falcons begin their quest for a three-peat in softball against the NU Lady Bulldogs.

The Lady Falcons, who swept the 12-game elims to make it to the finals outright, enjoy thrice-to-beat advantage in this duel and would only need two wins to complete a triple crown.