National University kicked off its UAAP Season 87 Baseball title defense in thrilling fashion, staging a late rally to defeat Adamson University, 7-4, on opening day Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.
With the game tied at 4-4 in the eighth inning, second-year catcher Charles Chua delivered the go-ahead run with a clutch single to center field, driving home Julius Cesar Soriano against Adamson reliever John Matanguihan.
Gio Gorpido and Kent Altarejos then provided insurance in the ninth, each delivering key hits to extend NU’s lead and seal the victory.
“Bigyan ko rin ng credit ‘yung Adamson kasi pinahirapan nila kami. Pinag-aralan talaga nila ‘yung hitters namin, kaya medyo nahirapan kami. Buti na lang naka-adjust ‘yung mga bata sa last inning kaya nakuha namin ‘tong panalo,” said NU head coach Romar Landicho, who also serves on the Philippine men’s national baseball team coaching staff.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
NU looks to stay unbeaten when it faces University of the Philippines on Sunday, March 2, at 7:00 AM.
The game remained scoreless through the first four innings as both teams struggled to convert scoring opportunities.
NU finally broke through in the fifth, with Kevin Maulit putting his team on the board with a hit to left field.
Although he was later caught stealing, Soriano ensured the Bulldogs took the lead, scoring off a Gorpido hit.
Gorpido led NU’s offense with a stellar 3-for-4 performance at the plate, while Soriano tallied two hits, both resulting in RBIs.
On the mound, NU starter Amiel De Guzman delivered a strong outing, allowing just four hits across 7.2 innings while striking out seven.
Gorpido then took over in the final frame, giving up only one hit to anchor the Bulldogs’ defense and close out the game.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Soaring Falcons kept pace with the defending champions for most of the game, matching the Bulldogs’ scoring in every inning except the decisive ninth.
Lawrence Mercado paced Adamson’s offense, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while starting pitcher Rommel Bacalla held his ground for eight innings, surrendering seven hits before NU broke through late.
Adamson, meanwhile, will try to bounce back against University of Santo Tomas in the third game of the day.
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NU | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 4 | |||||
| AdU | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
