First time participating in the SCUAA National Olympics, the ASCOT baseball team made their presence felt as they took the Second place in the league held at the Zamboanga del Norte Sports Complex in Dipolog City last February 18 -21, 2013.

Although it was not a walk in the park for the ASCOT team in their first game with Ilocos region, the team still dominated Bracket C during the elimination round.

After five innings, the ASCOT team was two points short against their opponent Region I, 0-2. However, during the last inning, the team scored three homeruns to seal their first victory.

In their next two games, the Region III representatives made easy wins as they crushed their rivals before advancing to the next round. The team scored 10-3 against Region IX and 15 – 1 against Region VII.

During the semi-finals, ASCOT team had an effortless win against the defending champions, Region VI. The key to their success, according to ASCOT Sports coordinator Roderick Zante, was team’s pitcher, Jaymoore Amolacion, who made it impossible for the opponent to even score. The game ended 3 – 0 in favour of Region III.

In the championship round, ASCOT team battled it out with the veteran line-up from NCR. It was a tough game for the teams as both score nothing up to the third inning.

During the fourth inning, NCR scored a couple of points while the ASCOT team gained a point in the fifth batting. No runs were score thereafter, leaving the ASCOT team with a silver medal.

According to Mr. Zante, the team was glad they have made it far in the competition even as a rookie team. But it would not have been possible for them to even compete if not for the people who have supported the team.

The team’s uniform and jackets were materialized through the P 50,000 funding from Congressman Sonny Angara, and the team’s P 10,000 allowance from Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Councilor Karen Angara – Ularan. An amount of P 14,100 was also earned from different donors. The team was coached and trained by Engr. Loreto Barrogo and Mr. Wilfredo Julio.

Also present in the SCUAA National Olympics to support the athletes were ASCOT officials, VP for Academic Affairs Professor Eriberto Rivera, OSS Director Amelia Picart, Scholarship Coordinator Ricardo Gonzales, College Nurse Rosalinda Amon, Mr. June Espinosa and Mr. Conrad Mendizabal. (CT Olivar)