Pio Villamiel at bat for De La Salle University against UST in the UAAP Season 87 baseball tournament, March 23, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila. UAAP Media

MANILA -- Pio Villamiel came through in the clutch with a booming double, propelling De La Salle University to an 8-6 victory over University of Santo Tomas in extra innings in the UAAP Season 87 baseball tournament, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The third-year standout from De La Salle Zobel stepped up in the extra frame, replacing rookie Miguel Agoncillo with one out. Villamiel drilled a sharp grounder down the left foul line, sending Tuting Samuel and Liam De Vera across the plate to give the Green Batters a 7-5 lead in the 10th inning.

Johan Rentero, who came in as a pinch runner for Villamiel, added an insurance run after UST substitute second baseman Sean De Leon's throwing error on a play at the plate.

"Ang sabi ko nga sa kanila, lalo na sa mga trainings namin, sa mga adjustments namin—mental toughness at ‘yung drive to win. Kasi minsan execution na lang ang kulang, pero the rest, nasa perfect timing kami. At least sa last part ng game, nagawa namin ‘yung gusto namin," said head coach Joseph Orillana.

De La Salle had to claw back twice in the game before finally seizing control in the seventh inning.

Marco Flores delivered a two-RBI double to put the Green Batters ahead for the first time, driving in Barry Oñas and Lord Aragorn to make it 5-4.

From there, DLSU’s defense took over, with closer Liam De Vera securing the win after holding UST scoreless in the final 2.2 innings. Oñas also played a crucial role, limiting the Golden Sox to just two hits—both by Timothy Caldo in the sixth and eighth innings.

The Green Batters will wrap up the first round against Season 86 Finals rivals National University on Wednesday in the day's third and final game.

Meanwhile, UST, now reeling from three consecutive losses (1-3), will look to bounce back against University of the Philippines earlier that day in the second game. Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila University will kick off the final day of the opening round at 7 a.m.

UST had maintained control for much of the game, scoring once in each inning from the third to the sixth. Caldo led the charge offensively, going 4-for-5 at the plate while adding an RBI. Jesus Cabigao also tallied two hits, while Prince Harry Geronimo contributed an RBI single in the sixth.

However, Cabigao ultimately took the loss after the Green Batters completed their comeback in the 10th inning, sealing a hard-fought victory.