National University edged closer to a UAAP Season 87 Baseball Final Four berth after extending its winning streak to six, defeating Adamson University, 11-3, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Gio Gorpido, one of the team’s senior players, powered the Bulldogs to a two-game lead over second-place De La Salle Green Batters in the playoff race with a strong start in the first inning.
The 23-year-old master’s student delivered a crucial hit to deep center field — just beyond the reach of Adamson centerfielder John Mark Tupig — for a two-RBI single that scored Kenneth Maulit and Herald Tenorio, giving NU a 4-0 lead.
Gorpido then crossed the plate for the final run of the frame, scoring off a play at second base that allowed Julius Cesar Soriano to complete a relay hit.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yun lang naman ‘yung advice na binibigay namin sa mga bata na ‘yung mga nangyari nung first round, wala na ‘yon. Burahin na namin sa isipan namin ‘yon and we need to start fresh. ‘Yun ang importante sa ‘min ngayon,” said head coach Romar Landicho, emphasizing the reigning champions’ mentality heading into the second round. “Dinissect namin ‘yung mga games na one game at a time, ‘yon ang kinukuha namin.
“In-instill naming nga coaches na hindi dapat tayo mag-overconfident dito sa tournament. Meron kaming mission na dapat gawin; dahil ito nga alam namin na malalakas ang kalaban. Talagang wala kaming chance na magbigay ng puwang sa sarili namin na maging mahina kumbaga,” added the second-year head coach.
It was that championship composure and never-let-up mentality that secured NU’s sixth consecutive victory and a sweep of the elimination round against Adamson, whom they had narrowly defeated in their opening game of this title defense.
Who better to embody that mentality than the reigning Best Pitcher, Amiel De Guzman, and his battery partner, Kent Altarejos?
De Guzman delivered another stellar performance on the mound, allowing just three unearned runs on nine hits. The Calaca, Batangas native also struck out six batters, including a crucial one in the sixth inning against Zerge Madarimot that ended the Soaring Falcons’ rally.
Altarejos contributed offensively with three hits, the first of which scored Kiel Olazo for the 1-0 lead and the third sending Soriano home in the fourth inning to keep NU in control.
The 24-year-old catcher was also instrumental in defense, contributing to all six of De Guzman’s strikeouts and recording four putouts by denying Adamson scoring chances at home.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson was unable to replicate their miraculous comeback against University of the Philippines, where they erased an eight-run deficit. In this game, they came up short against NU.
Two consecutive ground balls were cleanly fielded by third baseman Gorpido, who threw to first baseman Tenorio, retiring Kean Matanguihan and Ivan Jonson in order.
Joao Severino managed his fourth hit for the Soaring Falcons, but the game ultimately ended when Kier Plaza’s hit was caught by Bulldogs left fielder Nigel Paule.
Pitcher James Nisnisan, the hero of Adamson’s come-from-behind win over UP, suffered the loss after he absorbed the Bulldogs’ eight runs — two of which were earned, both coming in the five-run first inning — on nine hits, sealing the victory for NU.
Carlo Presbitero came on in relief, but he allowed three more runs for the last three innings.
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AdU | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 5 | |||||||
| NU | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | x | 11 | 11 | 3 |
