NATIONAL University capitalized on endgame breaks to stop De La Salle University, 5-2, for its fourth win of the UAAP Season 86 Baseball tournament on Sunday at the UP Baseball Field.
The Bulldogs, who are coming off a loss to the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, sent the Green Batters to a provisional share of second place at 4-3, behind the University of Santo Tomas Golden Sox’s 4-2.
With the game level at two runs, NU’s Kevin Maulit started the final inning with a hit to the right side before an error off De La Salle closer Joshua Pineda sent runners on first and second.
Two passed balls scored Maulit and put Cyril Antipolo and Jherick Timban in scoring positions for the Bustillos-based side.
Julius Cesar Soriano, who was the second pinch hitter for designated hitter Calanday, then obliged with a huge single to the left field that scored Antipolo and Timban to put up the eventual final score.
“Proud ako dun sa mga bata, especially dun sa mga nag-perform katulad nila Amiel De Guzman na talagang hindi bumigay hanggang sa huli. So ‘yun lang naman ang kailangan ng team, ‘yung lumaban ng lumaban sa La Salle,” said NU head coach Romar Landicho.
In contrast to the squad’s previous encounter, where the defending champion DLSU got their offense clicking, it was a huge defensive stand from NU that prevailed for the first eight innings, thanks to De Guzman’s stability on the mound for the Bulldogs.
De Guzman, who hails from Calaca in Batangas, ended the game in a no-relief effort with just two runs allowed on four hits, fanning three batters in the process.
Nigel Paule had two hits on four at-bats, but the two hits from substitutes Maulit and Soriano pulled NU to the victory.
The Lines:
NU 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 – 5 6 1
DLSU 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 – 2 4 5
With reports by Nicole Parallag
