AdU batters get back at UP, nail top seeding in semis

Defending champion Adamson University unleashed its full might against University of the Philippines, 13-2, at the close of the 72nd UAAP baseball elimination round Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field. The Falcons tagged Maroons pitcher Vladimir Eguia with 12 of the team’s 16 hits in the nine-inning contest to break the hearts of UP fanatics who trooped to the venue hoping to see their team frustrate Adamson anew. Their first meeting ended up with the Maroons winning via forfeiture as the Falcons walked out in protest after tournament commissioner Rudy Lugay overruled a decision made by the chief umpire in a crucial homeplate play.

“Nag-walkout kami (before) dahil nainis kami at disappointed sa tawag. Pero ganoon pa man ay sinabi ko sa mga players ko na huwag na silang paapekto sa nangyari dahil ibang game na ito at babawi tayo. Gawin nating challenge iyon," said Adamson coach Orlando Binarao. True enough, the Falcons left all that behind and came into Round 2 at their best fighting form, led by ace hurler Romeo Jazmin who limited the Maroons to just seven scattered hits with two runs and two strikeouts in a no-relief job. Edward Landicho and Richard Siacor each scored a homerun in the game with Siacor sweeping all men in a loaded base situation in the ninth and last inning. The victory was the Falcons’ eighth in 10 outings, giving them the No. 1 seeding in the Final Four that starts Thursday. The Falcons will enjoy the twice-to-beat advantage against No. 4 La Salle, which absorbed a 6-1 beating at the hands of UST to end the double round elimination with an even 5-5 record. “They (Archers) may be fourth seed but you can’t be complacent because any team can win against any team in the UAAP. We just have to be prepared and treat each game as a championship game," said Binarao. National University took its fourth straight win with an 18-8 thrashing of Ateneo to seal the No. 2 spot and the last semis incentive with a 7-3 record. The Bulldogs will play the No. 3 Maroons, who ended with 6-4. - GMANews.Tv