Layout by: Avrianne Cabate
Published by: Kristine Joyce Soriano
Date Published: March 24, 2025
Time Published: 7:52 AM
National University (NU) remains unbeaten in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Baseball Tournament after surviving a heart-pounding 15-14 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Wednesday, March 19, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The game saw multiple lead changes, with UST staging a remarkable comeback from a 1-7 deficit to take a 14-13 lead in the eighth inning.
However, NU responded with two crucial runs, capitalizing on UST’s errors to reclaim the advantage and hold on for the win.
“Nag-prepare talaga kami during the break kasi nga ‘yung kalaban is getting better almost every game; tumitindi ang labanan sa UAAP. We really have to prepare mentally, hindi lang ‘yung skills,” NU head coach Romar Landicho emphasized.
Nigel Paule set the tone for NU’s rally by drawing a walk and stealing second with Kevin Maulit at bat. Maulit then smashed a deep hit to center field, sending Paule home.
A costly fielding error by UST’s Jesus Cabigao allowed Maulit to score, sealing the Bulldogs’ hard-fought victory.
Herald Tenorio, fresh off a home run against the University of the Philippines, continued his strong performance with two hits and one run batted in.
Kent Altarejos mirrored his production with two hits and two RBIs, while Maulit added two RBIs, thanks to his eighth-inning heroics and a sacrifice fly in the first that brought home his brother, Kenneth.
“Vargas’ homer really shifted the momentum. We had to make adjustments because he was a threat every time he stepped to the plate,” NU assistant coach Paolo Santos noted.
Despite outhitting NU 20-8, UST’s seven costly errors ultimately proved their downfall.
National team standout John Reymond Vargas ignited UST’s offense with a solo home run in the second inning, later adding a triple and drawing three intentional walks as NU tried to neutralize his impact.
Prince Harry Geronimo added three hits but struck out in the ninth inning, ending UST’s hopes of a comeback.
NU sets its sights on a fourth straight win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 1-2, on Sunday, while UST seeks redemption in a high-stakes 7:00 AM showdown with De La Salle University, 1-1.
REFERENCES:
[1] ABS-CBN News. (2025, March 19). UAAP: NU outlasts UST in 29-run slugfest, stays unbeaten | ABS-CBN Sports. ABS-CBN. https://www.abs-cbn.com/.../uaap-nu-outlasts-ust-in-29...
[2] Valderrama, A. P. (2025, March 19). NU edges UST in wild UAAP Baseball slugfest to maintain perfect slate. Tiebreaker Times. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/.../nu-edges-ust-in.../331464
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