Bulldogs conquer Falcons
DEFENDING champion National University edged closer to a UAAP baseball Final Four berth after extending its perfect run to six with an 11-3 conquest of Adamson at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Gio Gorpido, one of the team’s senior players, powered the Bulldogs to victory with a strong start in the first inning.
The 23-year-old Gorpido delivered a two-RBI single that scored Kenneth Maulit and Herald Tenorio, giving NU a 4-0 lead. Gorpido then crossed the plate for the final run of the frame, scoring off a play at second base that allowed Julius Cesar Soriano to complete a relay hit.
“Yun lang naman ‘yung advice na binibigay namin sa mga bata na ‘yung mga nangyari nung first round, wala na ‘yon. Burahin na namin sa isipan namin ‘yon and we need to start fresh. ‘Yun ang importante sa ‘min ngayon,” said coach Romar Landicho, emphasizing the Bulldogs’ mentality heading into the second round. “Dinissect namin ‘yung mga games na one game at a time, ‘yon ang kinukuha namin.
“In-instill naming nga coaches na hindi dapat tayo mag-overconfident dito sa tournament. Meron kaming mission na dapat gawin; dahil ito nga alam namin na malalakas ang kalaban. Talagang wala kaming chance na magbigay ng puwang sa sarili namin na maging mahina kumbaga,” he added.
NU opened a two-game lead over La Salle, which moved up to solo second following a 5-4 win over University of the Philippines.
The Green Batters now hold a 4-2 record, thanks to Peter Nonaillada’s brilliant showing in the seventh inning.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas snapped its four-game losing streak by completing an elimination-round sweep of Ateneo, 11-3.
The Falcons now have a 3-3 record, while the Golden Sox moved into a tie for fourth place with the Fighting Maroons at 2-4.
