By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Defending champion National University pulled off a 7-4 victory over Adamson University at the start of the UAAP Season 87 baseball tournament Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate.
Sophomore catcher Charles Chua made a go-ahead run in the 8th inning with a single to center field, bringing home Julius Cesar Soriano to break a 4-all deadlock against substitute pitcher John Matanguihan.
Gio Gorpido and Kent Altarejos also delivered in the final inning to complete the win.
“I also give credit to Adamson because they gave us a hard time. They really studied our hitters, so that’s why we struggled a bit. The kids were able to adjust in the last inning so we got the win,” said NU mentor Romar Landicho, a member of the men’s national team coaching staff.
Gorpido led NU’s offense with three hits in four at-bats, while Soriano contributed two hits, both resulting in RBIs.
Starting pitcher Amiel de Guzman allowed just four hits across seven and two-thirds innings while striking out seven batters.
On the mound in the final frame, Gorpido gave up only one hit and anchored the defense for NU, which faces the University of the Philippines on March 2.
Lawrence Mercado made two hits in four at-bats and punched two runs while starting pitcher Rommel Bacalla took charge for Adamson through the first eight innings, allowing seven hits before NU pulled away in the ninth.
Adamson will try to rebound when it squares off with the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday. (PNA)
