UAAP '86 BASEBALL: NU BULLDOGS ARE BACK, OUTHIT UP MAROONS, 7-2

NATIONAL University men's team withstood tremendous pressure every inning to beat mighty rival University of the Philippines,7-2 in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines( UAAP) baseball tournament eliminations Thursday night at UP Baseball Field in Diliman,Quezon City.

Coming from back- to - back setbacks,the Bulldogs sensed another danger on a 2 -run advantage by Maroons they posted at the bottom first.The Sampaloc batters levelled the score 2-2 in the next frame followed by a run in 3rd and another pair in the midgame.

Knowing UP's ability to mount a comeback, NU's coaching staff headed by Romar Landicho (former Maroon standout) assisted by Robin Go,pitching mentor Junmar Diarao and conditioning coach Fil Am Mon Espina made sure to urge the troop to stay focus, minimize errors and step up on defense.

The ploy made the UP scoreless in the remaining inning up to their last bat where a possible game changer never happened courtesy of Bulldogs'ace pitcher MJ Carolino's no relief job with superb power at the mound.

A rotation deployed by the Bulldogs at the bull pen paid off as Nico Calanday hit a double and sent home by Joven Maulit's RBI( run- batted -in) followed by Maulit's run via RBI by Kiel Olazo to put their team to a safer ground, 7-2 and enroute to victory in a shutout at the last bat of UP who fielded 3 pitchers in entire game in vain.

" This victory is a morale booster for the team and a confidence buildup for our future games particularly in the next round," winning coach Landicho said who acknowledged the full support of team manager Wopsy Zamora and chief motivator Rey Sol.

"A positive sign for our boys who can stand up playing under pressure.This is a game we can't afford to lose. Now at 2-2,we're back in contention," Zamora said.

Other Bulldogs who contributed to team's victory are Nigel Paule,Kent Altarejos, Jude Maulit, Herald Tenorio,Gio Corpido, Cyrill Antipolo, Amiel de Guzman and Jherick Timban.

NU Bulldogs' ace pitcher MJ Carolino

Wopsy Zamora