NU snaps decades-long title drought in UAAP baseball

National University ended four decades of futility with a 5-4 title-clinching win over Ateneo in Game Three of their championship series in the 74th UAAP baseball tournament Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. It was NU's first championship in the league since its men's chess team ruled the 1986 season. The Bulldogs last topped the UAAP baseball tournament in 1966, winning back-to-back crowns. Ateneo was hoping to win its first baseball title in the league. "We don't want to be bridesmaids again," said NU coach Saki Bacarisas, after the Bulldogs placed second to Adamson and UST the last two seasons. "We played with the heart of a champion." MJ Gante scored the marginal run in the top of the ninth inning when he touched home plate on an error by Ateneo's Kirk Long, who failed to catch a Mark Anthony Elic fly to center field. The Bulldogs, with Aries Oruga pitching in no relief, held down the fort in the bottom of the ninth sending the pro-NU crowd into wild celebrations. Diminutive Aries Oruga was a tower of power atop the mound. He played without relief on Thursday and went on to hoist the Most Valuable Player trophy. Bascarisas was all praises for his prized pitcher, who was named the finals Most Valuable Player. NU's win also ended its title hunt this season after losing to Ateneo and La Salle in the finals of the men's badminton and tennis tournaments, respectively. Ateneo, meanwhile, dropped its secod chance of clinching a crown in the second-semester of Season 74 after losing to rival La Salle in the women's volleyball tournament finals. Catcher Alfredo Olivares' RBI (run batted in) gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead in the top of the third after both teams played to scoreless innings. Ateneo, however, tied the count in the bottom of the fifth with Matt Laurel reaching home plate on a Long grounder. Bryan Lumbres put NU in front again in the sixth, 4-3, when he scored on an Olivares hit to deep left field. Bocc Bernardo levelled the score once more when he rushed to home plate on an NU catching error. Laurel gave the Blue Eagles some consolation when he won the Rookie of the Year, Best Slugger, Most RBIs and Most Homeruns honors. The Blue Eagles' loss ended Long's bid of earning a fifth straight title after the veteran outfielder won four straight basketball crowns as a member of the men's basketball team. — JVP, GMA News