National University Nazareth School and De La Salle Zobel secured crucial wins as the race for the top two spots intensified in the UAAP Season 88 High School Baseball Tournament, Sunday.
Although far from as dominant as their 27-6 first-round victory over PAREF Southridge, the Bullpups still got the job done against the Admirals. This time, it took a thrilling 12-11 walk-off triumph in 10 innings at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium to kick off the second round.
Meanwhile, the Junior Green Batters exacted revenge on their first-round tormentor with a 14-7 victory, keeping a share of the second spot.
After Southridge took the lead at the top of the 10th inning on a bases-loaded hit by pitch from Yano Antonio, NUNS responded in kind, also capitalizing on a full bases situation.
Steven Alfante tied the game at 11 by crossing the plate on a passed ball, before Justin Lauriquez launched a laser down the right-field line to score Jericho Catchero, giving the Bullpups a walk-off victory.
The Bullpups improved to 3-2, tied with the Junior Green Batters.
“Yung inexperience lumalabas pa rin pero we kept motivating the team na huwag kaming bibitaw. Hanggang dulo talaga ang labanan sa baseball. Fortunately, nakuha namin ‘yung win today,” said NUNS head coach Romar Landicho.
John Plaza drove in four runs, including a bases-clearing double in the fourth inning, while Jopet Tabat recorded three hits. Kyle Montallana and John Adriano added two hits each for the Bullpups.
For the Admirals, Sandro Villarosa, Dash Hans, Joaquin Perez, and Luis Chavez each tallied two RBIs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, DLSZ pulled away with a six-run bottom of the fourth inning en route to its second straight win.
Amadeus Trozado, Juancho Gatmaitan, Carlos Zulueta, Leohj Palanog, Jan Soriano, and Aljun Tapia all scored. The team took advantage of four hits, two walks, and an Ateneo error to turn a 2-3 deficit into an 8-3 lead.
Although Ateneo got a run in the top of the sixth, the Junior Green Batters responded with three more in their half, highlighted by Tapia’s two-run blast to deep right field — the tournament’s second home run after Trozado hit the first against Southridge in the first round.
“Confident ako na itong boys are ready for the second round. Walang duda. I know the boys, ready na ready sila for the second round,” said DLSZ head coach Gil Encarnado Jr.
Andrei Valeros delivered a no-relief masterpiece on the mound, allowing just six hits and a walk while striking out 10 Ateneo batters. He also contributed offensively with three hits, two stolen bases, and an RBI.
Tapia and Trozado each had three hits, with Tapia driving in four runs.
Raffy Blaza also pitched the entire game for the Blue Eagles, contributing two RBIs at the plate.
With its third straight loss, Ateneo dropped to 1-4 and is now on the brink of elimination.
First Game:
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southridge | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 6 | |||
| NUNS | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 13 | 4 |
Second Game:
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateneo | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 4 | ||||
| DLSZ | 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | x | 14 | 15 | 6 |
