Top-seeded De La Salle University advanced to the UAAP Baseball Finals for the fourth straight season, extending its chance at a three-peat with a thrilling 6-4 escape against University of Santo Tomas in the Season 86 Final Four on Sunday at the UP Baseball Field.
The Green Batters will await the winner of the other semifinal match between the second-seeded National University and Ateneo de Manila University for their opponent in the best-of-three Finals series.
In a game where opportunities come in spurts, the reigning back-to-back champions seized a much-needed break in the fourth inning.
Leading by a single run at 2-1 heading into the said frame, JM Segui turned the tide despite facing two outs.
He made a crucial hit that forced an error from UST shortstop Jesus Cabigao, allowing him to reach base.
Shinji Kajihara and Lord Aragorn De Vera then hit back-to-back singles to drive in Segui and Kajihara consecutively, extending the lead to three at 4-1.
(C) Noel Tonido/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Focus lang sa game kasi sabi ko sa kanila, hindi pwedeng mabaliktad ung momentum natin sa kalaban. Kaya itong game na ‘to sabi namin, kunin na,” said long-time DLSU head coach Joseph Orillana.
“Kase nga para at least paghahandaan na lang namin yung sa Finals. So yung mental toughness lang and will to win, dapat nandun sa kanila,” the former UAAP Best Pitcher added.
The fourth-inning advantage proved crucial as Peter Nonaillada held his ground against the Golden Sox, who mounted a comeback attempt in the final five innings but couldn’t overcome the deficit.
Marvin Trillana and senior Mhigeil Cerda brought UST back into the game with two runs in the fifth, cutting the deficit to one, 3-4.
However, scoring just one run against De La Salle’s three in the latter innings was not enough to extend the squad’s season.
(C) Noel Tonido/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
De Vera led the Green Batters with three of the team’s eight hits, achieving this in five at-bats.
However, it was the no-relief job from the second-year pitcher Nonaillada that secured the victory.
Nonaillada, who hails from the Zobel high school program, allowed just one earned run in the last four innings and struck out six batters, with three of them coming in the home stretch.
Six players from UST made their final round of the bases: Steven Dominguez, John Bersales, Cerda, Jhon Regalado, Ceyjay Diesta, and Junel Cruz, playing their last game for the Golden Sox.
With a chance at that elusive three-peat, Orillana knew the importance of preparation, saying, “More on hittings at saka defense talaga. Ang pitchers namin andun na; maganda yung depensa.”
He added, “Yun nga panibagong match-up na naman to for Finals na. Mas tapangan pa nila dito kasi yung will to win ng isang player, ‘yung champion by heart, sabi ko ilabas niyo na dito.”
“Ganyan maglaro ung isang champion para mas maging masarap sa feeling deserving sila manalo kasi na experience na nila.”
The Lines:
TEAM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
UST 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 – 4 8 7
DLSU 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 x – 6 8 7
With reports from Nicole Parallag
