Ateneo, La Salle dispute crown

Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University dispute the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 baseball championship in the deciding Game 3 today at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

When the first pitch goes off at 12 noon, the Blue Eagles and the Green Batters will leave everything on the mound to cap an exciting best-of-three series between the two fiercest collegiate rivals.

De La Salle took the Finals opener, 9-7, before Ateneo scored a series-tying 7-3 victory last Tuesday.

The Eagles’ were in the zone in Game 2 as pitcher Miggy Angeles delivered the goods in a no-relief job.

“He was sensational,” said Ateneo coach Bocc Bernardo.

Javi Macasaet went 4-of-4 in Game 2 while Gino Tantuico, who slammed two homeruns in the championship series, including a grand slam in the opener, was on fire for the Eagles.

A win will reclaim Ateneo’s crown it won two years ago at the expense of University of Santo Tomas. The Eagles are also eyeing to avenge their 2016 Finals loss, where the Green Batters ended a 13-year title drought.

La Salle remains a potent force though behind Game 1 hero Iggy Escaño, Kiko Gesmundo and Boo Barandiaran.