NU remains undefeated in UAAP Season 88 Baseball

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium

7 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU
* NU vs UST
* UP vs Ateneo
(* – Rule of succession)

NATIONAL University cruised to its third straight win and retained the solo lead in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball Tournament following a 13–5 romp over Adamson University, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The defending back-to-back champions remained the only undefeated team in the field at 3–0.

Rivals De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University are disputing the solo second spot, both holding a 1–1 win-loss record as of this writing.

Just as NU dominated its first two assignments, it was the Bulldogs’ defense that powered yet another victory.

After allowing one run in the top of the second inning, NU’s defense silenced the Soaring Falcons for the next four innings, holding them scoreless despite hits from Kean Matanguihan and Laurence Mercado, as pitcher Hilario Espina III stood firm.

The third-year hurler finished with just that lone Adamson run over six innings, allowing four hits and striking out two batters.

With their signature defense in full effect, NU’s offense eventually took over, extending the lead to 11–1 by the seventh inning, threatening to end the game early.

“These are mature players; so, tini-treat ko sila as mature people. Alam ko naman na mafi-figure out nila ‘yung game. Sabi ko nga sa kanila sa huddle, even though humahabol ‘yung Adamson, gusto kong maranasan nila ‘yon,” said head coach Romar Landicho, expressing his trust in his wards despite the late Adamson run.

“Kasi hindi naman lahat ng game madali. So, kailangan rin naming ma-experience ‘yung gano’ng situtation para at least masanay sila,” the champion mentor added.

Aaron Detoito once again led the offense, finishing with two hits and three RBIs in this statement win. Kevin Maulit had another multiple-RBI outing, ending with two RBIs after his double to the right-field line in the sixth inning, which all but sealed the result.

The Bulldogs will face the UST Golden Sox next, with the contest scheduled for Sunday’s second game.

Adamson, however, refused to go down quietly, mounting a late surge in the seventh inning with four runs on five hits against R-Kenshin Clamor and Gio Gorpido.

Ivan Jonson came off the bench to deliver a two-RBI double to start the rally, while fellow substitute Zerge Madarimot added another RBI, scoring Leonel Matanguihan to cut the deficit to 11–5.

Madarimot later crossed the plate on a play involving James Nisnisan, but that was all the Soaring Falcons could muster, going scoreless in the final two innings.

Adamson will try to bounce back against the DLSU Green Batters on Sunday’s opening game at 7 a.m.

Teams    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
AdU    0    1    0    0    0    0    4    0    0    5    10    3
NU    0    3    0    3    0    5    2    0    x    13    10    2

UP snaps losing skid in UAAP Baseball, crushes UST

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium

7 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU
* NU vs UST
* UP vs Ateneo
(* – Rule of succession)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines snapped a four-game skid dating back to last year with a dominant 24–7, six-inning rout of University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

After a heavy loss to defending champions National University Bulldogs, the Fighting Maroons finally broke through the win column for the first time since April 13, 2025, and evened their tournament record with UST at 1–1. The tournament is held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

Following a rough start—allowing four runs in the first inning—UP exploded for 10 runs in the second and never looked back, securing their breakthrough victory.

Back-to-back hits from VJ Mangahas and John Mark Natawan signaled the Fighting Maroons’ offensive surge.

Two consecutive walks issued by UST reliever Prince Harry Geronimo loaded the bases, setting up the first run.

Further hits from Aaron Nicha and Eman Javier, coupled with two additional UST fielding errors, turned that initial run into a six-run advantage, putting UP ahead 10–4.

“Yung first two games talaga is talagang top teams eh, pero nakita ‘yung kaya ng mga bata. Ito na, kaunting pep talk, kaunting changes sa batting lineup, kaya ito, medyo maganda na ‘yung naging result. Ang importante rito, nagiging matured na, pero mga bata talaga ‘tong players natin. Pero nakita mo na may potential talaga; kailangan lang nila ng teamwork. Darating tayo dyan,” said Iking Jimenez, now in his second year as head coach.

UP didn’t stop at a four-run cushion.

The Fighting Maroons added 14 more runs over the next four innings, putting the game well out of reach. Javier finished with three hits and six RBIs, while Nicha also recorded three hits and drove in five runs. LM Basañes contributed three hits, two of which came in the latter innings.

Daniel Badrina relieved rookie Bokie Claro and stabilized the Fighting Maroons’ defense, limiting UST to just two more runs after taking the mound. The third-year pitcher struck out five batters in his stint.

UP will aim for back-to-back wins when they face Ateneo de Manila University in the third and final game of the series on Sunday.

“Ando’n na ‘yung teamwork; tulung-tulong lang talaga. Yung pitchers na nakita niyo naman, si Badrina, ang ganda ng pinukol. Yung pitcher natin na rookie, si Claro, first batter na strikeout niya, pero nawala sa focus. So, kaunting adjustment pa, usap pa sa mga rookies,” added Jimenez.

UST got off to a dream start with four runs in the opening inning, capitalizing on rookie Claro’s nerves in his UAAP debut. A single from Marvin Trillana put additional pressure on UP’s defense, which eventually allowed three more runs off a Ybbrahim Degollacion hit.

No Thomasian batter had more than one hit, with Trillana the lone contributor of runs, driving in three.

Four UST pitchers tried to halt the Fighting Maroons’ offense, but their efforts fell short, with Cedrick Marquez taking the brunt of the scoring after allowing 14 runs.

The Golden Sox will aim to bounce back against the Bulldogs in Sunday’s second game, following the opener between Adamson University Soaring Falcons and De La Salle University Green Batters at 7 a.m.

TEAMS    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
UP    0    10    4    1    5    4    x    x    x    24    15    3
UST    4    2    0    0    0    1    x    x    x    7    5    12

UST takes early lead as UAAP Women's Tennis commences second round play

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women's Tennis Standings
UST 4-1
UP 3-1
NU 3-2
DLSU 2-3
Ateneo 0-5

Men's Ties on Wednesday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court
7:30 a.m. - UP vs. UE
7:30 a.m. - Ateneo vs. UST
7:30 a.m. - AdU vs. DLSU

Defending champion University of Santo Tomas opened the second round of eliminations in commanding fashion, toppling Ateneo de Manila University, 4-1, to take the lead in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Tennis Tournament on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.

With the victory, the Female Tennisters improved to 4-1, sharing first place with the Fighting Maroons, who trail one tie due to a bye.

Judy Padilla and Princess Nichole Dela Rita clinched the tie with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win over Zaina Omar and Eloh Castolo in first doubles, marking their fourth consecutive victory.

“‘Yung start ng NU [tie], doon na nagkasunod-sunod ‘yung wins namin. And yung performance ng mga teammates ko, nag-improve naman and wala rin silang sinayang and pinrove din nila na kaya namin,” said Dela Rita.

“Defending champion man kami, malakas talaga pressure [sa amin], lalo na ‘yung mga ibang teams na gusto ring makuha [‘yung title]. Same page lang naman kami, same goal na sana makuha namin ngayon. Basta puso lang naman and walang sasayangin na points and games. Lumalaban naman kaming lahat.”

Last season's co-MVP Kaye Emana stormed through first singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Angela Buyante, giving UST the early momentum. Mica Emana then carried that energy to second singles, overcoming Casey Padilla 6-3, 6-2, putting the tie firmly in the Lady Tennisters’ hands.

UST pair Justine Maneja and Christine Gulagula held steady in second doubles, pulling through with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Althea Martirez and Chelsea Roque. Althea Ong later battled back from a set down, turning away Kaye Mustaza, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-2, to secure Ateneo’s lone point.

Meanwhile, National University bounced back against first-round tormentor De La Salle University, carving out a 3-2 victory to notch back-to-back wins and climb to solo third with a 3-2 record in the tournament.

Adeline Abadia and Rovie Baulete weathered the pressure in second doubles, outlasting Annika Diwa and Guysie Garrido, 7-5, 4-6, 10-6, to give the Lady Bulldogs the overall victory.

NU's Elsie Abarquez opened the tie in commanding fashion, not yielding a game in a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Bea Gomez in first singles.

Lady Tennister Maikee Vicencio countered in second singles, handling AJ Acabo 6-2, 6-2, to pull DLSU back on even footing.

Juliana Carvajal and Kolin Cornell swung the advantage back to the Lady Bulldogs with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Amor Idjao and Chelsea Bernaldez in first doubles.

Still, Lady Tennister Angeline Alcala refused to let the tie slip away, overcoming JM Carcueva 6-3, 6-3 in third singles to push the tie to a rubber.

The Lady Tennisters slipped to 2-3 in fourth place, while the Blue Eagles continue to search for their first win in the five-team event.