Despite a three-run lead in the first six innings, the DLSU Green Batters succumbed to a late rally from the NU Bulldogs, 10-5, to hand them the second seed in the final day of the UAAP Season 88 Baseball Tournament Elimination Round earlier today, April 5, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
La Salle designated hitter Tuting Samuel led the offense as he went three-for-four with three doubles and a run batted in (RBI), while rookie pitcher Dustin Guong had four quality innings on the mound, striking out seven batters.
Dictating the tempo
With the twice-to-beat incentive already in hand from their previous victory, the DLSU Green Batters entered the match determined to redeem themselves from their mercy-rule defeat to the NU Bulldogs. Ezy Bautista wasted no time making an impact, reaching first base to open the game before swiftly stealing second to set up Team Captain Samuel’s RBI double, putting DLSU up, 1-0. With La Salle quickly gaining momentum, the defending champions tightened their defense by recording consecutive flyouts to limit the damage. However, Liam De Vera and Dustin Rebustillo exploited gaps in NU’s fielding, with Rebustillo driving Samuel home to double the Lasallian cushion, 2-0.
The Bulldogs were unfazed by the green shirts’ strong start as they regrouped at the plate to mount their response. Lester Balon got on first base, followed by an RBI double from Mykel Francisco to put NU up on the board, 2-1. As Francisco advanced through the bases for a scoring opportunity, DLSU’s rookie pitcher Dustin Guong struck Ben Gorpido out to preserve their narrow lead.
Despite a hot start in the first inning, the Lasallians’ bats stalled at the top of the second inning as NU pitcher Ryan Baido delivered consecutive outs. The Bulldogs capitalized when Guong began to falter on the mound, with Bryan Lagumbay’s RBI double tying the game at 2-all. With the white shirts threatening in scoring position, Guong, aided by the La Salle fielders, struck Grant Bacarias out to close the second inning.
La Salle would regain their footing at the top of the third as Samuel smashed through a ground-rule double. Baido momentarily halted the surge with consecutive strikeouts, but De Vera followed with an RBI single that brought Samuel home and restored the lead, 3-2. On the other side of the ball, Guong would struggle once again, issuing multiple walks that loaded the base, yet timely fielding bailed La Salle out once again. The Lasallians and the Nationalians would go scoreless in the following innings as Baido and a revitalized Guong retired the batters in order.
Faltering late
Baido kicked off the fifth inning by making up for a leadoff single by retiring the next three Green Batters in order. At the bottom of the period, La Salle relief pitcher Johan Rentero responded to his counterpart by retiring the first three hitters he faced, including two by strikeout.
In the top of the sixth, the Taft-based squad would add on to their advantage as pinch-hitter Kirk Bigcas hit a ground-rule double that brought home the fourth run for the Green Batters. The outfielder was then brought home by outfielder Inigo Reyes, who hit a double into the gap to give the Green Batters a 5-2 lead.
However, the Bulldogs started to gain ground as their best hitters entered the match. The Maulit twins started the rally as a leadoff single, and a hit-by-pitch by Kevin and Kenneth, respectively, led to an RBI groundout from Gorpido in the bottom of the sixth to take back a run.
The defending champions’ starting hitters would flip the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh as the first three batters reached base, with the third, Francisco, capitalizing on an error by Barry Oñas to drive in a run, 5-4. The Maulit twins would deliver the crucial blows as Kevin Maulit hit an RBI double before being followed immediately by a two-RBI triple by Kenneth Maulit to give the Bulldogs a 7-5 advantage. Despite veteran pitcher Peter Nonaillada coming in, Gorpido would tack on another run from a sacrifice fly before the inning ended.
In the bottom of the eighth, Nonaillada would not allow a recorded hit. However, the Green Batters would suffer four infield errors, three of which were committed by shortstop De Vera, which led to two more runs for the Bulldogs. Overall, La Salle would be unable to muster any offensive threat in the final three innings, ultimately falling once again to the defending champions, 10-5.
With a 7-3 record, the Green Batters finished the elimination round as second and will face the AdU Soaring Falcons with a twice-to-beat advantage on Wednesday, April 8, at the same venue.
