National University kept its title hopes alive with a commanding 9–3 victory over De La Salle University in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball Finals, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Bulldogs moved closer to a potential three-peat by unleashing a decisive five-run surge in the middle innings. The lineup capitalized on timely hitting and costly miscues by the Green Batters to build an 8–1 cushion, which they never relinquished.
The deciding Game 3 is set on Tuesday at 8:00 AM at the same Malate venue. NU will aim to extend its reign, while La Salle looks to storm back and claim its seventh title in this tournament, also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
La Salle drew first blood with a 2–1 win in Game 1 last Tuesday, but struggled to sustain its offense in the rematch.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“In-accept muna namin na talagang talo kami, kasi sobrang ganda ng nilaro ng La Salle, especially ‘yung pitcher nila na si Liam De Vera. Tinanggap muna namin sa sarili namin na may kulang pa; do’n, kumbaga, kami nagsimula ng adjustment para sa team in preparation para dito sa Game Two,” said Bulldogs third-year head coach Romar Landicho.
Clinging to a three-run lead entering the fifth inning, NU ignited its pivotal rally when Jherick Timban opened with a lead-off single to left field.
After two routine outs left Timban stranded at second, back-to-back walks issued by reliever Peter Nonaillada loaded the bases for Gio Gorpido. The senior third baseman delivered with a deep drive to center field, bringing home Timban and Kiel Olazo.
La Salle managed to score one run in the bottom half of the inning, but NU quickly responded with three more in the sixth to put the game out of reach.
Aaron Detoito sparked the inning with another lead-off single, this time off Marco Tantuico, setting the tone for the Bulldogs’ biggest offensive frame.
Kevin Maulit followed it up with a clutch hit to the same area, driving in both Detoito and Timban. Maulit later scored on a fielding error by Green Batters shortstop Liam De Vera.
NU’s offense proved to be the difference, as the defending champions racked up 11 hits — highlighted by Maulit’s two hits and three RBIs, and Gorpido’s two RBIs off his lone hit. The Bulldogs had managed just four hits in Game 1.
“Number one na inayos namin is ‘yung hitting namin, since isa lang ang na-score namin from the last game. Yun ‘yung pinagtuunan namin ng pansin,” Landicho added.
“Tsaka ‘yung motivation na hindi pa tapos ‘yung laban, eh; may Game Two pa. Mag-focus tayo sa Game Two; ’pag nakuha natin ’to, saka natin problemahin ’yung Game Three.”
Ace pitcher Hilario Espina III delivered a complete-game performance for NU, limiting the potent La Salle lineup to just two earned runs on four hits while striking out three.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Green Batters showed a brief spark in the seventh inning when Tuting Samuel blasted his third home run of the season. Off an inside pitch, the national team standout launched the ball over the right-field fence, scoring two runs along with Barry Oñas.
However, the rally was quickly quelled as NU tightened its defense, with Kenneth Maulit handling Liam De Vera’s hit to the same side.
Five La Salle pitchers tried to contain NU’s offense, but the combined efforts of Nonaillada and Tantuico were not enough to stop the Bulldogs’ explosive five-run stretch.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NU | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 4 | ||||
| DLSU | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
