NATIONAL University played a steady, all-around game to secure the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Baseball Final Four, defeating Ateneo de Manila University, 8–1, on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
De La Salle University had earlier claimed the other playoff incentive after a 13–12, 11th-inning victory over Adamson University.
The Bulldogs scored in five of the eight innings they played on offense while holding the Blue Eagles to just one run in a defensive masterclass throughout the match.
Four runs in the first two innings set the tone for the reigning back-to-back champions, with contributions from both sides of the batting order.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Maulit twins, Kenneth and Kevin, delivered key hits that converted base runners into runs. Kenneth scored Kiel Olazo for the go-ahead run, while Kevin doubled the lead with Julius Cesar Soriano reaching home.
Charles Chua drove in a leadoff single in the second inning, which eventually became the Bulldogs’ third run on a Gio Gorpido sacrifice hit. Another sacrifice fly off Olazo sent Bryan Lagumbay home for a 4–0 advantage.
“Medyo relaxed na ‘yung mga bata sa paglalaro nila para sa game na ‘to. Siguro, kulang na lang sa palo. Pero at the end, kami pa rin ang panalo, so happy pa kaming mga coaches,” said head coach Romar Landicho.
“We learned so much from our past two losses, especially sa aming hitting. Do’n namin nalaman na beatable pa rin kami, so there’s no reason para mag-relax pa rin kami dito sa natitira naming games,” added the third-year mentor.
Jherick Timban paced NU’s offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Chua recorded three hits and scored one in the second inning.
Hilario Espina III’s strong performance on the mound proved key to the victory. The third-year hurler allowed just one unearned run off Ateneo’s seven hits and struck out six batters.
The Bulldogs also survived multiple scoring opportunities from the Blue Eagles, executing three double plays to end threats.
NU will face De La Salle University in the decisive matchup to break the deadlock at the top of the standings on Easter Sunday’s final game of the tripleheader.
“Same as our championship game against La Salle last season, alam naming it will be a good game for both of us. Siguro mag-prepare lang kami nang maayos, ‘yung mga kulang namin, especially ‘yung hitting,” Landicho said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Ateneo, Luis Magsadia drove in four hits but was twice caught in double plays by the NU defense. Ryu Garcia scored the Blue Eagles’ lone run on a fielder’s choice by Francis Mendoza.
Ateneo will try to keep its Final Four hopes alive when they face University of Santo Tomas on Easter Sunday’s opening game at 7 a.m.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateneo | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | ||||||||
| NU | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | x | 8 | 10 | 5 |
