When De La Salle University clinched back-to-back UAAP Baseball titles the previous season, they had then-graduating pitcher Joshua Pineda to thank.
Pineda stifled the University of the Philippines’ offense in the championship series and even contributed offensively.
His performances earned him the Finals MVP award while retaining the throne in Taft Avenue.
So when the opportunity arose to play for one more season with the Green Batters, the Sports Studies graduate did not hesitate to give it another shot.
“Ang motivation ko talaga kung bakit rin ako bumalik sa La Salle is gusto kong makuha ‘yung three-peat, which is hindi pa nagagawa ng La Salle – like yung back-to-back na nakuha namin last year. Alam ko naman na kaya ng team kaya rin ako bumalik po,” Pineda said.
“Yung puso ko rin po nasa La Salle talaga,” the 24-year-old standout also shared on his return as he already played an off-season tournament with another squad.
“Kaya nung naka-usap ko po sila Coach Joseph (Orillana), binigyan ako ng opportunity ulit para mag-represent ng La Salle, ginrab ko na ‘yon.”
It was not a smooth season for Pineda, and he admitted that he needed some time to adjust to the current season’s official ball.
Nonetheless, the national team upstart has found his groove now, as evident in the morale-boosting, dramatic 6-5 win against arch-rival Ateneo.
And for Pineda, it comes down to the Green Batters’ desire to dominate the game and secure their place in the Final Four.
“Yung nakita ko talaga na ayaw matalo ng team, kaya binigay ko lahat ng best ko para makatulong sa kanila. So, nagawa namin kasi hanggang huli hindi kami nagpatalo,” he shared.
“Bawal na kaming matalo kaya ginagawa namin lahat ng aming makakaya talaga.”
