Experience is often the best teacher, and National University pitcher Jherick Timban embodied this wisdom during their first-round sweep of the ongoing UAAP Season 87 Baseball tournament, clinching a crucial victory over De La Salle University last Wednesday.
For the second time this season, the Dasmarinas Integrated High School graduate stepped up as the reigning champions’ pitcher, steering NU to another triumph.
For Timban, readiness for any role assigned to him remains his guiding principle.
“Sinasabi lang naman ng coaches is every game, kung ano ‘yung role niyo sa team is gampanan lang. And kung may opportunity na ibigay sa inyo, i-grab niyo lang ‘yon at gawin niyo lang ‘yung best niyo sa game para no doubts lang sa chances niyo,” said Timban, who started the game against De La Salle as the centerfielder.
As the Green Batters fought their way back into the game, the fourth-year Information Technology major recognized the urgency of regaining control — this time as NU’s pitcher and defensive anchor.
“Ang akin lang is huwag lang po kaming magpadala sa emosyon kahit na nakakahabol ‘yung La Salle. Sabi nga nila coach, i-manage lang ‘yung emotions namin, kalmado lang, kasi hindi pa naman kami talo, hindi pa naman tapos ‘yung game,” Timban shared.
“Every inning lang, may chance, kaya every inning bawi lang.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With composure restored, the 22-year-old pitcher delivered a clutch play in the ninth inning — picking off Tuting Samuel, eliminating a crucial base runner for the Green Batters, before swiftly retiring the next two batters.
Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Timban said, “Malaking bagay po ‘yung nagawa no’n kasi nga po nawalan ng runner, naging kalmado po ako sa pagpukol.”
The lessons learned from last season’s championship run have played a crucial role in NU’s continued dominance this year.
“Napakalaking bagay po lahat nung nangyari sa’min last season kasi dahil po do’n mas nahasa po ‘yung bawat isa sa’min na every game, kapag dikdikan, lalo lang kaming lumaban at huwag po kaming bumitaw. Kahit na lumalamang ‘yung kalaban, basta hangga’t hindi pa po dumadating sa ninth inning, laban lang po ng laban,” he shared.
“Sa’kin personally, ang natutunan ko talaga is isa do’n ‘yung maging prepared lang mentally. ‘Yun po talaga ‘yung isa sa natutunan namin last season, kasi nga po lahat po ng team nag-i-improve din. Maging mentally prepared lang po palagi para ‘pag dumating sa mga ganyang game na dikitan, ma-manage po namin kung paano laruin.”
With an unblemished first round behind them, Timban and the NU Bulldogs brace for tougher challenges in the second round, where every game will test their mettle, especially with postseason ambitions at stake.
To that end, Timban underscored the importance of consistency and sustaining their current mindset, as they still have much to prove.
“Dapat ma-maintain lang namin ‘yun eagerness na makuha ‘yung goal namin and madepensahan po namin ‘yong championship,” he concluded.
“Gusto po kasi naming makilala ‘yung team namin, ‘yung NU, na hindi na katulad ng dati na mina-mani-mani lang ng mga kalaban. ‘Yon po ang gusto naming mangyari for this season.”
