Milko Go holds the line as Adamson outlasts UP, advances to UAAP baseball final four

WITH a UAAP Season 87 Baseball Final Four berth on the line, rookie Milko Go Jr. and the Adamson defense rose to the occasion, lifting the Soaring Falcons to a thrilling 16-15 victory over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Adamson booked its place in the semifinals after finishing fifth last season, sealing the hard-earned win with a four-run explosion at the top of the ninth inning and a gutsy defensive stand in the bottom half.

Deadlocked at 12-all entering the final frame, rookie James Nisnisan sparked Adamson’s late rally with a solid hit to right field that skipped past Emman Cahilo, putting him on base. Joao Severino then brought Nisnisan home to take the lead. UP’s third baseman Axl Vispo committed his second error of the inning, allowing two runners to get on base for slugger Kier Plaza.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Plaza, who earlier launched a home run in the first inning, came up clutch again—delivering a two-RBI single that scored Severino and Lawrence Mercado to push the Falcons ahead, 16-12.

“Sabi ko nga sa intindihin nila ‘tong game nila sa UP kasi nga knockout ‘to, ‘pag natalo fifth place, ‘pag nanalo, fourth. Yun, mabuti na kahit mahirap, kahit na nung lumalaban ‘yung UP, at least, naitawid ‘yung pang-apat naming sa standings,” said longtime Adamson head coach Lando Binarao.

“Hindi actually ako satisfied sa performance kahit nanalo kami, kasi kailangan maka-score ka, makalamang ka sa kalaban ng mga five runs. Kasi kung ang lamang mo tatlo o dalawa sa last ba, matatalo pa ‘yung team, which is nangyari nga sa mga games namin before. Mabuti naka-four runs kami at mabuti na-hold,” he added.

The Fighting Maroons weren’t ready to fold just yet. In the bottom of the ninth, reigning MVP Ian Mercado blasted a two-run homer, bringing home LM Basañes to trim the deficit to two, 14-16. Last year’s Rookie of the Year Aaron Nicha forced an error from Lawrence Mercado to reach base, eventually scoring on an Emman Javier sacrifice fly.

But that proved to be UP’s final gasp.

Razhley Santos sent a shallow fly ball that John Matanguihan fielded with ease, throwing to Kurt Cabanillas to tag out Kobe Torres at second—sealing the game for Adamson.

Despite surrendering eight runs from the second inning onward, Go’s composure on the mound proved vital in preserving the win. He gave up just nine hits—including Mercado’s homer—and held his nerve when it mattered most to steer Adamson into the semis.

Cabanillas led the Falcons’ offense with an impressive 4-of-6 performance at the plate, while Plaza’s two crucial hits—a homer in the first and a game-changing single in the ninth—drove in four total runs and proved decisive in the final tally.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

For UP, it was another crushing end to their campaign, falling just short of a playoff breakthrough once again. The Fighting Maroons now bid farewell to seniors Ian Mercado, VJ Mangahas, Darren Mayo, and Miggy Reyes.

Mercado ended his UAAP career, finishing with a stellar 3-of-6 hitting clip, including a home run in his final at-bat. The national team standout also racked up six RBIs and scored three runs in a valiant individual effort.

Relief pitcher Ram Matanguihan also chipped in with two hits and three RBIs.