Even a proven winner can fall, and such a setback can sometimes spark a character-defining bounce back.
Acceptance was the first step toward recovery, and it was the initial process by UAAP’s reigning back-to-back Collegiate Men’s Baseball champion National University after a narrow 1–2 defeat against modern-day rivals De La Salle University in Game 1 of the Season 88 Finals.
Outplayed for most of the game, the Bulldogs went back to the drawing board and made a bold decision. The team entrusted Hilario Espina III, fondly called Jong, with the mound in the all-important Game 2.
Consistent all season long, Espina — nephew of one of Romar Landicho’s trusted deputies, Mon, and a protégé of national team standout Amiel de Guzman — once again delivered for NU. He fired a complete-game four-hitter while allowing just one run to secure a crucial win over DLSU.
For the third-year pitcher, it all came down to determination to keep their reign alive.
“Yung pagkatalo po namin nung Game 1 against La Salle, parang pinush po namin ‘yung sarili namin na manalo ngayong Game 2. Nag-training po kami nang maigi at nakinig sa mga coaches para ma-execute po ‘yung mga palo, ‘yung pitching,” said the Physical Education junior.
“Nung training po namin sa NU nung Thursday, pagkatapos po no’n, nag-meeting po kami, ‘yung first nine po, sinama po nila ako kasi nga po ako raw po ‘yung mag-start. Bale, ginampanan ko lang ang tungkulin ko at nakinig lang po ako sa mga coaches,” Espina shared on his assignment and how he embraced that responsibility.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Espina has had his moments throughout the season, including a pivotal win against Adamson University that helped NU regain momentum. He also had a victory over Ateneo de Manila University that secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
Those performances helped build his confidence heading into his biggest assignment yet — starting and finishing Game 2 of the Finals — with NU’s season and championship streak on the line.
“Dahil lang din naman sa mga performance ko, kaya tiwala rin ako sa mga teammates ko, sa depensa ko, kung ano ‘yung bolang maibigay ko sa strike zone, makuha ng teammates ko sa infield, tiwala ako na ma-out nila,” the Pambujan National High School product shared.
For Espina, his journey is also shaped by those who came before him: NU pitchers who helped build the program’s championship identity.
Junmar Diarao, MJ Carolino, and Amiel de Guzman, in one way or another, have shown the young pitcher what it takes to succeed in an NU uniform.
“Parang inspirasyon ko po sila, lalo po ‘yung pitching coach namin, si coach Diarao. Tapos ‘yung dalawa (sila MJ at Amiel) ay idol ko kasi nung Season 86, tinapos nila ‘yung championship [drought]; nakuha namin ‘yung championship dahil sa kanila. Kaya iniidolo ko lang rin ‘yung ginawa nila para makuha ko ‘tong Game 2, pati na rin siguro ‘yung three-peat,” said the third-year ace.
With the series now pushed to a deciding Game 3, Espina and the rest of the NU Bulldogs look to complete their mission this season — a dream three-peat. For the third-year standout, it all comes down to showing up even better on Tuesday.
“Kung ano po ‘yung pinakita naman sa depensa, sa pitching, sa palo, kailangang gawin naming mas higitan po sa Game 3 para mukha po namin ‘yung three-peat,” he shared.
“Gusto naming dalhin mula dito po sa Game 2 is ‘yung nagtutulungan po kaming lahat: ‘yung infield at outfield, nag-uusap; ‘yung sa pitcher at catcher rin. Tapos, nakikinig lang po parati sa coaches. ‘Yung preparation namin is mas hihigitan pa namin ngayong third game.”
