NU dominates Adamson, remains on top of UAAP Baseball

NATIONAL University cruised to its third straight win and retained the solo lead in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball Tournament following a 13–5 romp over Adamson University, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The defending back-to-back champions remained the only undefeated team in the field at 3–0.

Rivals De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University are disputing the solo second spot, both holding a 1–1 win-loss record in this tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission as of this writing.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Just as NU dominated its first two assignments, it was the Bulldogs’ defense that powered yet another victory.

After allowing one run in the top of the second inning, NU’s defense silenced the Soaring Falcons for the next four innings, holding them scoreless despite hits from Kean Matanguihan and Laurence Mercado, as pitcher Hilario Espina III stood firm.

The third-year hurler finished with just that lone Adamson run over six innings, allowing four hits and striking out two batters.

With their signature defense in full effect, NU’s offense eventually took over, extending the lead to 11–1 by the seventh inning, threatening to end the game early.

“These are mature players; so, tini-treat ko sila as mature people. Alam ko naman na mafi-figure out nila ‘yung game. Sabi ko nga sa kanila sa huddle, even though humahabol ‘yung Adamson, gusto kong maranasan nila ‘yon,” said head coach Romar Landicho, expressing his trust in his wards despite the late Adamson run.

“Kasi hindi naman lahat ng game madali. So, kailangan rin naming ma-experience ‘yung gano’ng situtation para at least masanay sila,” the champion mentor added.

Aaron Detoito once again led the offense, finishing with two hits and three RBIs in this statement win. Kevin Maulit had another multiple-RBI outing, ending with two RBIs after his double to the right-field line in the sixth inning, which all but sealed the result.

The Bulldogs will face the UST Golden Sox next, with the contest scheduled for Sunday’s second game.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Adamson, however, refused to go down quietly, mounting a late surge in the seventh inning with four runs on five hits against R-Kenshin Clamor and Gio Gorpido.

Ivan Jonson came off the bench to deliver a two-RBI double to start the rally, while fellow substitute Zerge Madarimot added another RBI, scoring Leonel Matanguihan to cut the deficit to 11–5.

Madarimot later crossed the plate on a play involving James Nisnisan, but that was all the Soaring Falcons could muster, going scoreless in the final two innings.

Adamson will try to bounce back against the DLSU Green Batters on Sunday’s opening game at 7 a.m.