Joshua Pineda went full circle with De La Salle University.
During his freshman year back in 2019, the product of Anastacio G. Yumul High School was part of the Green Batters team that won the UAAP Season 81 Seniors Baseball title.
Four years later, he was a pivotal piece in La Salle’s puzzle, steering the Taft-based squad to a sweep of University of the Philippines and give the school a rare back-to-back.
“Very speechless ako. Very thankful ako sa mga teammates at coaches ko dahil naranasan ko magchampion noong rookie year ko tsaka sa last year ko,” said Pineda.
“Very grateful talaga ako.”
It has been said that rookie Lord Aragorn De Vera was the one who stepped up on the mound, leading La Salle to the Finals.
If De Vera was the spark, Pineda provided the finish, producing two masterclasses on the mound to stun the top-seeded Fighting Maroons.
Though UP had the firepower, Pineda stressed that their championship experience proved to be the difference.
“Wala akong pressure nun kasi may advantage kami,” said the lefty pitcher out of Tarlac, who was also hailed as the Finals MVP.
“Yung kalaban namin, hindi pa sila nakapunta sa championship tapos kami may experience.”
Pineda though had extra motivation heading into the season.
Last July, his father passed away. And all throughout the season, he only had one thing in mind — make his dad proud.
“Ginawa ko talaga ito para sa kanya kasi siya yung inspirasyon ko kung bakit ako nandito. Para ito talaga sa kanya,” he said trying to fight off tears.
Now, Pineda will look to accomplish one more thing he promised to his dad before he moved to Manila.
“National team muna ngayon. After ng nun tapusin ko na yung term ko at kunin ko na yung degree ko at hahanap na ng trabaho.”
