National University scored a monumental upset, pulling off a 5-2 win over defending champion De La Salle University to momentarily occupy the top spot in the elimination’s second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines 86th Season baseball competition.
The suspense-filled game from first to the last was deadlocked at 2-2 going to the top of the 9th when the Bulldogs exploded on a Kevin Maulit single, followed by a sacrifice bunt by Cyrill Antipolo and Jherick Timban’s intentional walk that filled the base for an opportunity of a game at hand.
Maulit drove home on a wild pitch and catcher’s error to gain momentum with a 3-2 advantage.
Pinchitter June Soriano hit a 2-run RBI (run-batted-in) that put the Sampaloc batters in a breath-relieving advantage, 5-2, going into the Green Batters’ last bat.
Ace pitcher Amiel de Guzman performed another no-relief job at the mound that shackled the Taft-based batters’ offensive, en route to a convincing victory, the Bulldogs’ fourth in seven outings.
“I’m very proud of our boys. Although may mga mistakes, laban lang hanggang huling inning,” said winning coach Romar Landicho, who acknowledged the able support from the bullpen by assistant coach Robin Go, pitching coach Junmar Diarao and conditioning coach Fil-Am Mon Espina, adding motivation from Rey Sol and team manager Wopsy Zamora.
“Defense is the key to our victory. The boys are consistent in that department since day one,” Zamora said. “We’re on the right direction to fulfill our mission. Go Bulldogs!”