Top-seeded National University will march into the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Final Four carrying strong momentum, following a 9-6 victory over De La Salle University on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Although the outcome held no bearing on the Final Four seedings — both the Bulldogs and the Green Batters had already locked the top two spots and twice-to-beat advantages — NU head coach Romar Landicho still urged his team to finish strong.
“Every win sa amin naman is important kahit na alam naming pasok na kami sa semis, kailangan pa rin namin ‘yung panalo. Kinausap naman namin ‘yung mga bata at motivated pa rin sila manalo,” said Landicho.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Bulldogs roared ahead in the bottom of the fifth inning, taking a 7-0 lead. Hits from Joven Maulit, Gio Gorpido, and Charles Chua, along with a throwing error by La Salle shortstop Luke Villacruz, brought home Kent Altajeros, Herald Tenorio, Kyle Hardillo, and Gorpido.
La Salle responded in the sixth inning with four runs off the bats of Villacruz, Johan Rentero, Joaquin Go, and Gerard Paulino, but the deficit proved too much.
Maulit then delivered the dagger in the bottom of the sixth with an inside-the-park two-run homer to deep right-center field, pushing the lead back to five, 9-4.
Both teams opted to rest their top arms ahead of the semifinals.
NU did not field ace pitcher Amiel De Guzman, while La Salle sat out Agon de Vera, JR Alcontin, and JR Samuel.
“Expected namin na magiging bakbakan ‘yung semis kasi malalakas ‘yung teams, so it’s a good thing na nagpapahinga ‘yung key players namin, especially ‘yung ace namin na si Amiel,” Landicho added.
Tenorio starred offensively for the Bulldogs, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored. Maulit chipped in two hits and three RBIs, while pitchers Hilario Espina, Nico Calanday, and Gorpido shared duties on the mound, combining for eight strikeouts.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Paulino, Kirk Bigcas, and Michael Villamiel each recorded two hits for the Green Batters, who also rotated pitchers Jasper Crisostomo, Ezykiel Bautista, Rentero, and Julius Poliquit.
