Adamson University staved off elimination with a huge 8-5 escape against University of the Philippines on the penultimate day of the second round of eliminations in the UAAP Season 86 Baseball tournament.
The Soaring Falcons, last year’s third-placers, forced a tie in the fifth to sixth spots with the Fighting Maroons at identical 3-6 win-loss records, just one game behind the 4-5 University of Santo Tomas.
“Lagi lang naming sinasabi na magkaroon kayo ng confidence sa pagtaya, sa pagpalo. Kasi lagi namang sinasabi na pare-parehas namang nagte-training ‘yan, humahawak ng bola, pero ang nawawala lang is ‘yung confidence nila. ‘Pag wala ka talagang confidence, nawawala ‘yung laro ng bata,” said Adamson assistant coach Jayson Santos.
“Magtulungan lang din sa gitna at itaas nila ‘yung morale ng bawat isa. Nakita naman natin na naging effective naman,” he added.
The game followed a familiar script in the first few innings as Adamson capitalized on UP’s errors and defensive lapses to mount an early 6-0 advantage.
This time, however, the San Marcelino-based squad prevented a comeback from the home side.
Leading by just two at 6-4, the Soaring Falcons needed flawless defense to fend off the Fighting Maroons’ attempts in the fourth inning.
After allowing a hit to left field from UP’s Nano Asuncion and committing an error on Aaron Nicha’s fly ball attempt, the infield got to work.
An unassisted putout from Adamson third baseman Kurt Cabanillas on Kiel Agojo’s hit forced Asuncion out on third base before shortstop Lawrence Mercado sent Kobe Torres back to the dugout with a throw to first baseman Angelo Pelingo.
Pelingo eventually ended with three hits on six at-bats for the Soaring Falcons, including a single that loaded the bases for Kenneth Matanguihan in that inning and scored John Mark Tupig for the fifth run of the six.
UP’s adjustments in the ninth inning paid off in holding off another scoring opportunity from the visitors that might have extended the 4-8 deficit.
The Fighting Maroons put in Darren Mayo and Emman Cahilo, and sent the tall Daniel Badrina to third base.
More changes saw the Fighting Maroons cut the deficit to two with Mayo and VJ Mangahas bringing in hits, and the latter sending the former and Badrina home.
However, it was too little too late as the home squad failed to send the game into extra innings.
The Lines:
AdU 0 6 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 – 8 11 3
UP 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 – 6 11 3
