The Aurora State College of Technology baseball team outplayed eight other teams to bring home the trophy in the recent SCUAA Region III Olympics in Iba, Zambales last December 16-21, 2012.

Team ASCOT dominated bracket B by defeating Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) and Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), making the team qualified for the next round.

When asked how they felt advancing to the semi-finals, Sam dela Torre, one of the senior team members, said, “Masaya kami syempre. Kasi nabigyan kami ng chance na makaabot at makalaban sa (semi) finals”.

After beating Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) in the semis, ASCOT challenged, last year’s champion, Bulacan State University (BULSU) in the finals.

Despite being underdogs, team ASCOT proved that no squad can crush them. After seven innings, ASCOT defeated BULSU in a neck to neck game (12-11) and was hailed champion.

But there will be a short break for this team as they prepare for the nationals. The team will be representing Region III in SCUAA National Olympics in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte this coming February 17-23, 2013.

According to Engr. Loreto H. Barrogo, head coach, ASCOT team will be playing with teams from CLSU and BASC for a tune up game in preparation for the nationals. Three selected players from the BASC, DHVTSU and BULSU, will also be joining the ASCOT team as they compete in Dapitan.

Coach Barrogo hopes that the team will play well in the Nationals even though it is going to be hard especially with the high calibre players from NCR and the national defending champion, Western Visayas. He also wishes for the team to be in the top four, as last year’s representative failed to make it to the semis. (C. Olivar)