When the season began, De La Salle University knew that it would take more than just raw talent to rise above the competition.
With a young core in tow, the Green Batters expected it would take several games before their rookies could fully adjust to the intensity and pressure of the UAAP.
Even before the newcomers stepped foot on the field at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, longtime head coach Joseph Orillana made one thing clear: maturity and composure were non-negotiable.
“Ang ano ko sa kanila since marami-rami kaming nawala na mga seniors, ‘yung mga natira dapat mag-take over sila sa naging winning tradition ng team. And at the same time, ‘tong mga rookies ang sabi ko, hindi ko kayo itatrato na rookies dito,” said Orillana.
“Once naglaro kayo diyan, you are a baseball player for La Salle. You are a fighter diyan sa field; walang rookie-rookie dito. Kapag naglaro kayo, all-out kayo.”
That mindset paid off when it mattered most — when a rookie carried the team back to the Finals for the fifth straight year.
Yuan Sumague, a 19-year-old outfielder from Tanauan, Batangas, recorded only one hit in their semifinal match-up against the University of Santo Tomas, but it was the biggest of his UAAP career.
His bases-clearing triple gave La Salle the lead in the middle innings, and the Green Batters never looked back.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST mounted a late rally, tying the game in the eighth inning. But in the 11th, Sumague struck again — this time with a sacrifice fly that brought home catcher and co-captain Tuting Samuel for what would be the game-winning run.
“Sa’min pong mga rookies, nung sinabi po ‘yun ni coach, parang na-less po ‘yung pressure kasi hindi kami tini-treat as mga bata. Pinalaro niya kami diyan dahil kaya naming ‘yung mga ginagawa namin,” said Sumague, who embraced Orillana’s challenge with quiet determination.
What also drove La Salle to finish the job in 11 innings was Orillana’s insistence that they should treat the game like a do-or-die match, despite having a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
“Meron nga kaming twice-to-beat dito sa semis pero sinabi lang po niya na ayaw niya po na maglaro kami na iniisip namin na may (advantage). Gusto niya na isipin namin na must-win siya,” shared the Sports Management freshman.
That all-or-nothing mindset was exactly what Sumague carried into the game. With the weight of the moment on his shoulders, he stepped onto the diamond intent on making an impact.
“Iniisip ko lang rin na kahit anong mangyari, sana may mai-contribute ako sa team kasi medyo nakukulangan rin po ako sa naibibigay ko sa offense. Kaya ayun po, thank you po kay Lord kasi gano’n nga po ‘yung nangyari,” he said.
“Nung 11th inning nung bago ako pumalo, hindi ko na iniisip na maka-hit kasi ang kailangan lang naman po namin is mag-score lang. So, inisip ko lang po na talagang papaangatin ko ‘yung bola para maka-score at nangyari nga.”
Now with their Finals ticket secured, Sumague and the rest of La Salle’s rookie class are soaking in the moment — while keeping their eyes on the bigger prize.
“Masarap po sa feeling pero may pressure pa rin po kahit papaano. Hindi naman po mawawala ‘yung pressure pero kaya naman po. Mindset lang po talaga is tuloy lang po sa training, pagtuunan po sa training kung saan po mahina para mas maganda ang performance sa Finals.”
For most teams, the future is still a work in progress. But for De La Salle, with young talents like Yuan Sumague stepping up this early — the future is now.
