National University kicks off its bid for a third straight championship as the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball tournament throws its first pitch on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Bulldogs, who ended their title drought with back-to-back championships, will carry the same mentality that made them winners: treat every game like a championship.
NU will face challenges, having lost several key players to graduation. Head coach Romar Landicho is counting on his remaining roster to step up when they open the season against Ateneo de Manila University at 7:00 AM.
“Yun pa rin namang mindset na stay motivated na makuha ‘yung goal this year. Although alam namin na nagpapalakas rin ‘yung ibang team, ‘yung training naman namin is… Kumbaga matured na ‘yung mga players, and alam naming kaya nilang mag-perform in any situation,” said the fourth-year mentor.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Bulldogs will still rely on the power-hitting Maulit twins, Kevin and Kenneth. Meanwhile, having Amiel De Guzman on the mound remains key to the team’s signature defense that carried them in previous seasons.
“Our seniors talaga will be the heart of the team. Sila ‘yung maging sandigan namin talaga para makuha ‘yung three-peat,” added Landicho, referring to his fourth-year hurler and the rest of the senior players.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University and University of the Philippines open their campaigns against each other in the second game of the tripleheader.
Both squads will be without last year’s captains — Agorn De Vera for the Green Batters and Ian Mercado for the Fighting Maroons — as the two have joined the same professional league team in the UAE.
Seniors Peter Nonaillada and Tuting Samuel will aim to keep DLSU competitive, while Kobe Torres and Razhley Santos look to guide UP out of the slump.
A thrilling matchup will close the opening day as University of Santo Tomas begins its post-JR Vargas era against Adamson University.
Prince Harry Geronimo and Timothy Caldo will lead the Golden Sox in filling the shoes of last season’s MVP, starting with a clash against James Nisnisan, Dan Rommel Bacalla, and the rest of the Soaring Falcons.
