MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo de Manila Blue Batters crushed National University (NU), 9-2, in the first round of the UAAP Season 75 baseball tournament Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Park to gain a measure of revenge over the defending champions.

Ateneo lost to NU in last year’s finals but the Blue Batters quickly stamped their class over the Bulldogs in their first meeting of Season 75 as they amassed a 5-0 lead after two innings.

Though he was pleased with his team’s performance, Ateneo coach Emerson Barandoc told the UAAP website that he was slightly disappointed that they were unable to win the game via mercy rule. 

“Gusto namin tapusin agad, pero hindi dumating,” Barandoc said. “At least, nakuha pa din namin ang goal to sweep the first round.”

Ateneo holds a 5-0 slate after the first round of eliminations.

The Blue Batters previously defeated the UST Growling Tigers, 11-3, in what was the Tigers’ first defeat of the season.

NU is in third place in the league standings with a 3-2 slate, followed by La Salle (2-3) and UP (1-4).

The Tigers kept the Adamson Falcons winless so far with an 18-9 demolition last Sunday.