Ateneo regains UAAP baseball crown after thriller over UST

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ateneo went the distance and edged University of Santo Tomas, 14-12, in 12 innings to reclaim the title in the UAAP Season 79 baseball tournament Friday at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Jino Tantuico, after a crucial mistake in the Season 78 Finals, played hero for the Blue Eagles as he hit a two RBI double with Javi Macasaet and Dino Altomonte going straight to home plate to give them a 13-11 lead at the top of the 12th inning.

Ateneo baseball director Randy Dizer admitted this was the hardest game they had to play this season but it was all worth it as they won their fourth title in six years.

“This is the hardest game we played but in the end our experience from the past finals series helped us to win,” said Dizer. “I almost had a heart attack and if you guys can see UST always had runners on its bases.”

“We got our break when we were able to hold their runners.”

Ateneo led by as much as 9-3 at the top of the sixth inning but the Golden Sox were able to chip away at the deficit and tied it at 9-9.

The Blue Eagles then took an 11-9 lead at the top of the eight with Marco Mallari and Enrico Untalan both reaching home plate after Tantuico’s base hit.

UST managed to tie the game at 11-11 at the bottom of the ninth with John Pedracio and Amiel Lallano both getting to home.