Herald Tenorio launched a towering homerun in the seventh inning to seal National University’s dominant 9-1 victory over University of the Philippines to take the early lead in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball tournament, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Tenorio’s homer, the season’s first, gave the Bulldogs a commanding lead and capped off their strong performance in the match-up.
The third-year player from National University Nazareth School crushed a pitch from substitute LM Basañes to deep left field, out of the reach of Emman Cahilo and over the stadium’s ledge for a solo homer that extended NU’s lead to seven at 8-1, effectively sealing the win.
This marked the first UAAP homerun at the historic Malate ballpark since Gino Tantuico hit two in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 81 Finals between Ateneo-De La Salle Finals back in 2019.
“Sobrang proud ako sa mga bata kasi pinapakita lang nila kung ano ‘yung pinaghirapan naming sa training. Ina-apply lang nila dito sa game,” said second-year head coach Romar Landicho.
“Again, I’ll give credit sa UP, pati siyempre sa mga dati kong players sa Tanauan kasi pinahirapan nila kami for the first five innings.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Jherick Timban returned to his roots as a pitcher, earning the win in his first start of the season.
The Dasmariñas Integrated High School product anchored the defense, allowing just one unearned run and five hits before handing the ball off to reigning Best Pitcher Amiel De Guzman after seven innings.
Timban also delivered a key triple in the second inning, giving the Bulldogs the lead at 2-1.
Left-fielder Nigel Paule scored on the hit after earlier sending Kevin Maulit home to tie the game.
Kent Altarejos led NU’s offense with two hits, both doubles, driving in three runs. Maulit contributed a .500 batting average with two hits in four at-bats.
The defending champions will face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Sox when the tournament resumes on March 19 in the second game.
The league paused for the Little League Philippine Series in Pambujan, Northern Samar, with tournament officials attending the event.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ram Matanguihan stood strong for UP through the first five innings but struggled with his accuracy in the later frames, taking his first loss of the season in his debut appearance.
The second-year pitcher from La Consolacion College-Tanauan limited the Bulldogs to two earned runs and three hits before walking Kiel Olazo in the fifth inning, leading to his exit.
Season 86 MVP Ian Mercado and Rookie of the Year Aaron Nicha were limited to one hit each, with Mercado’s coming in the first inning, when the Fighting Maroons scored their lone run.
UP will regroup and look to bounce back against Ateneo de Manila University to open March 19’s games at 7:00 AM.
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||
| NU | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | x | 9 | 10 | 2 |
