The DLSU Green Batters made one more step closer to redemption as they took down the UST Growling Tigers, 6-5, in their thrilling UAAP Season 87 Baseball Tournament Final Four matchup earlier today, April 29, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Starting slow
The Green Batters immediately surrendered two runs in the top of the second inning, which gave the Growling Tigers confidence early on, 2-0. At the bottom of the fourth, La Salle showcased their tough mentality and effort despite having two outs to narrow their deficit. Renato Samuel hit an RBI double to send Pio Villamiel home to get DLSU on the scoreboard, 2-1. La Salle then added another run after JR Alcontin sent the ball to left field, allowing Samuel to run home and tie the game, 2-all.
At the top of the fifth, DLSU pitcher Barry Oñas struck out Cedrick Marquez. However, JR Vargas later got to second base, raising worries in the Lasallian defense. Senior Justine Rosales’ hit then allowed Vargas to run home, restoring the Thomasians’ lead, 3-2.
Stealing the win
At the bottom of the sixth, errors by the UST pitcher allowed DLSU to load the bases. With Villamiel, Samuel, and JR Alcontin ready to run at the bases, Yuan Sumague hit at his turn, allowing his teammates to run across home plate to put DLSU ahead, 5-3. Spirits ran high in the Lasallian camp, though the Growling Tigers once again took the lead at the top of the seventh. Despite the Green Batters getting two outs to apply pressure on UST, an error by the Lasallians allowed Vargas to reach home plate once again, 5-4.
In the ninth inning, the Lasallians’ main mission was to stop UST from getting a run to win the game. However, Marquez hit a home run to tie the game late, forcing extra innings in the semifinal, 5-all. La Salle and UST were not able to get runs in the 10th inning as both teams kept their defensive sharpness, with relief pitcher Liam De Vera striking out the Thomasians’ substitute hitters.
At the bottom of the 11th, Samuel started as a ghost runner in second. A Miguel Agoncillo bunt allowed the DLSU runners to inch closer to the win. With runners ready, Sumague delivered a clutch hit to send Samuel home before UST could throw the ball back to the catchers. La Salle stole the win, 6-5.
After the game, DLSU Head Coach Joseph Orillana commended Sumague’s performance in the semifinals, sharing how the center fielder came up with this performance in the big stage despite some shaky performances in the previous games, “‘Yun ang preparation namin sa practice kasi sabi ko ‘Yuan, ikaw na lang inaantay ko sa paluan [na] tumulong ka. Ibigay mo na [r]ito sa semifinals; kailangan kita sa semifinals.’ Kasi nung mga past few games, medyo nangangapa siya sa hitting niya. Which is nagawa naman, na-deliver niya. Credit kay Yuan nung game na ito.”
(That was our preparation because I told him, ‘Yuan, I am waiting on you in the hitting department. Give it your all in the semifinals; I need you in the semifinals.’ Because in the previous games, he was still getting to grips with his hits. He did it; he delivered. So, credit to Yuan for this game.)
He also shared that he wanted his rookie pitcher to trust his defense to keep their opponent from getting runs, “Tiwala lang siya sa depensya niya. Ma-avoid niya ‘yung walk. So, sabi ko ilaban na lang sa depensa kesa mag-walk.”
(He should just trust his defense. Avoid giving walks. I told him to just fight it out in defense instead of giving up walks.)
With a high-stakes finals series looming, Coach Orillana reiterated his team’s need for strong will and composure, “Ang kailangan namin dito is ‘yung mental toughness at ‘yung Baseball IQ, talino sa laro. Kasi ‘yung game sense namin naba-blanko; klaro ‘yung gameplan pero ang nangyayari parang nagdo-doubt sila.”
(We need the mental toughness and the Baseball IQ, the smartness in playing. Because our game sense at times goes blank; the gameplan is clear, but what happens is sometimes they have doubts.)
The Green Batters secured their fifth straight finals appearance in the Baseball Tournament after this victory. They await the result of the semifinals of the NU Bulldogs and AdU Soaring Falcons as they look to reclaim their crown.
