Ace pitcher Amiel de Guzman silenced almost all batters in front of him in his no-relief job at the mound to guide the National University Bulldogs to a surprise one-sided victory over heavily the favored University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigers, 6-1, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines 86th Season baseball tournament at the UP Baseball Field in Diliman, Quezon City over the weekend.
The Bulldogs, fresh from a convincing victory against University of the Philippines Maroons, 7-2, stepped up with their vaunted defense to prevent the España batters hit pay dirt in 8 innings, before UST of coach Jeffrey Santiago prevented an embarrassing shutout in the last frame.
Designated hitter TJ Camposanto delivered as the Bulldogs scored 2 runs at the bottom 3rd, home at 7th and rained 3 runs in the 8th en route to their third victory in five outings, thereby boosting their confidence going into the next round.
“Itinuloy lang namin ang formula ng last game na consistent defense, laging tulungan ang pitcher at ang maganda pa, si Amiel (De Guzman) did so well sa pitching from start to end. Grateful kaming coaches na ganito ang inilaro ng mga bata especially against the first-round best offensive team UST,” said head coach Romar Landicho, who acknowledged his deputies at the bullpen in Robin Go, pitching coach Junmar Diarao, conditioning coach Fil-Am Mon Espina and the full support from chief motivator Rey Sol and team manager Wopsy Zamora.
“Defense made it. We overcame the Tigers being the top team in the offense department. Now, we’re ready and geared up for the next round,” said Zamora, while giving credit to his Bulldogs Nigel Paule, Kent Altarejos, Jude and Joven Maulit, Herald Tenorio, Gio Corpido, Cyrill Antipolo, Nico Calanday, Kiel Olazo, MJ Carolino, Jherick Timban, De Guzman and Camposanto.