Archer Rosales’ homer forces Game 3 vs Maroons

Francis Rosales played his best game in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ men’s baseball season, belting a solo homerun that clinched for De La Salle a 4-3 squeaker over University of the Philippines (UP) Sunday and sending the championship series to a Game Three next weekend.

Rosales, who was one-of-four in the thrilling match at the Rizal Memorial diamond, cracked the game-winner off Darwin de La Calzada’s first pitch at the bottom of the 13th inning.

Rosales, first at bat De La Salle in the decisive frame, sent the ball rocketing past the field’s deep left lower fence, thus completing the comeback job for the Green Archers who had a great elimination run but sputtered in the championship run.

"Breaks of the game," said De La Salle coach Isaac Bacarisas after the close encounter. "Amin talaga itong laro. At ngayon, magsasalita na ako. Tatapusin na namin ito sa Game Three."

Game Three is set 12 noon Saturday, also at the Rizal diamond.

The Archers had the best seat in the house in the two-round eliminations as they almost won the title outright when they went up 9-0, beating UP in their first meeting, 6-2. But their streak came to a halt with a 4-6 loss at the Maroons’ hands in their final eliminations encounter.

In Game One last Thursday, the Maroons were impressive with a 4-0 shutout. But on Sunday, the Archers found their own championship form and held on in the see-sawing battle to force the winner-take-all match.

The Archers broke the ice when Mike de Ubago scored on a throwing error by UP catcher Nino Tator. De Ubago got on board on a single to center, stole second base and advanced to third on Rosales’ sacrifice fly.

The Maroons responded at the top of the third with Teddy Landicho sending his brother Roy, who walked, reached second on a sacrifice fly and stretched to third on a John Isip sacrifice bunt — home for the equalizer.