S87 Baseball: NU enters Final Four with momentum, downs La Salle

UAAP Season 87 Baseball Tournament Standings
**NU 9-1
**DLSU 6-4
*UST 5-5
AdU 4-6
UP 4-6
Ateneo 2-8

*Final Four
**Twice to beat

Game on Saturday
(Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium)
8 a.m. - AdU vs. UP (Playoff for Fourth)

TOP-ranked National University will head on to the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Final Four with three straight wins after taking care of De La Salle University, 9-6, on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

With the game having no bearing with the Bulldogs and the Green Batters already assured of the first and second seeds, as well as twice-to-beat advantages in the Final Four, NU head coach Romar Landicho’s wards still made sure to capture the win to enter the semifinals with much momentum.

“Every win sa amin naman is important kahit na alam naming pasok na kami sa semis kailangan pa rin namin ‘yung panalo. Kinausap naman namin 'yung mga bata at motivated pa rin sila manalo,” said Landicho.

Hits by Joven Maulit, Gio Gorpido, and Charles Chua, coupled with a throwing error by La Salle shortstop Luke Villacruz scored Kent Altajeros, Herald Tenorio, Kyle Hardillo, and Gorpido to build a 7-0 lead for NU in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Although Villacruz, Johan Rentero, Joaquin Go, and Gerard Paulino answered with four runs for the Green Batters in the top of the sixth stanza, it was not enough.

Maulit’s inside-the-park two-run homer to deep right center field reestablished a five-run cushion in the bottom of the sixth, 9-4.

Despite the result, both teams pulled their punches, resting their aces with NU not using pitcher Amiel De Guzman while La Salle opted to rest Agon de Vera, JR Alcontin, and JR Samuel.

“Expected namin na magiging bakbakan ‘yung semis kasi malalakas ‘yung teams so it’s a good thing na nagpapahinga ‘yung key players namin especially ‘yung ace namin na si Amiel,” added Landicho.

Tenorio had a field day on offense with four hits on five at-bats, cashing in two runs, while Maulit had two hits resulting in three runs batted in (RBI).

Hilario Espina, Nico Calanday, and Gorpido all had their turns on the mound for NU, collectively striking out eight La Salle sluggers.

Paulino, Kirk Bigcas, and Villamiel all tallied two hits apiece for the Green Batters while Jasper Crisostomo, Ezykiel Bautista, Rentero, and Julius Poliquit all made appearances on the mound.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team