Defending champion National University imposed its will with a 13-2 victory over the University of the Philippines in seven innings, securing its second straight win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball Tournament on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Bulldogs showcased their offensive firepower, scoring in every inning they batted to remain unbeaten in the tournament, which is held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.
Three-run rallies in both the third and fifth innings proved decisive for NU, who then punctuated the game with four more runs in the sixth — their last time at bat.
Up by two runs in the bottom of the third, Kevin Maulit and Gio Gorpido’s hits drove in three runs, aided by a wild pitch and a balk called on UP reliever Bokie Claro.
In the fifth inning, Charles Chua extended NU’s lead to seven by scoring Gab Francisco. A two-RBI single from Bryan Lagumbay effectively put the game out of reach, driving in Julius Cesar Soriano and Chua.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“So far we’re building our momentum na; although, every game lumalakas nang lumalakas ‘yung mga kalaban. We still have to prepare; hindi kami kailangang magpa-easy-easy, kailangan pa naming pumukpok pa rin every game,” said head coach Romar Landicho.
Gorpido led the Bulldogs’ offensive onslaught with two hits in four at-bats, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Chua added two hits and one RBI, while Lagumbay drove in three runs. NU capitalized on 10 hits and five UP errors to secure the lopsided win.
Defensively, the Bulldogs were just as formidable. Former Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagle and now NU starter Gab Francisco delivered a six-inning shutout, allowing only five hits and striking out four batters.
NU will aim for a third straight win when they face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in Wednesday’s second game. Landicho emphasized the importance of consistency from his team, particularly his seniors.
“Maging consistent lang ‘yung mga seniors ko, ‘yung mga first stringers ko, kasi sila naman talaga ‘yung magdadala ng team. Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung laro nila at magtulung-tulong kami,” added the fourth-year mentor.
UP managed five hits in the first six innings, but they were scattered and failed to produce runs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Fighting Maroons finally broke through in the seventh inning with two hits from John Mark Natanawan and Emman Cahilo, resulting in two runs, but it was too little, too late.
Cahilo, who entered in the fifth inning for Marvin Nalzaro, emerged as UP’s lone offensive standout.
Kobe Torres, serving as designated hitter, also recorded two hits but absorbed the loss after allowing five unearned runs in 2.1 innings pitched.
UP will face the University of Santo Tomas in Wednesday’s first game at 7 a.m.
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP | 2 | x | x | 2 | 7 | 5 | ||||||
| NU | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | x | x | x | 13 | 10 | 1 |
