NU takes Game 1 against DLSU in UAAP Season 87 baseball finals

KEVIN Maulit played the hero once again as National University erupted with a five-run rally in the fifth inning to secure a dominant 16-7 victory over De La Salle University to move on the cusp of back-to-back UAAP baseball titles, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

Fresh off a stellar offensive outing in the Final Four against Adamson University, the 24-year-old product of NU Nazareth School delivered the game’s most pivotal hit. His clutch three-RBI play in the fifth inning widened the Bulldogs’ lead to 10-5—an advantage they would never surrender.

Facing rookie pitcher Yuan Sumague of Tanauan, Batangas, Maulit launched a hit deep to right field, far out of Barry Oñas' reach. The blast brought home Kent Altarejos, his brother Kenneth Maulit, and Herald Tenorio, igniting the Bulldogs’ biggest scoring surge of the game.

With the victory, NU moved one step closer to a rare back-to-back title, needing just one more win to clinch the crown. Game 2 is set for Tuesday, May 6 at 8 a.m., still at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

"Alam naman naming na may possibility na bumalik 'yung La Salle. So, pinaalala ko lang na 'yung score, hindi importante; kailangan nating mag-reset. Kailangan pa rin naming mag-focus sa hitting kasi hindi pa tapos ang laro. So, 'yun naman ang ginawa, nag-respond naman 'yung mga players kaya nakuha naming 'tong game," said NU head coach Romar Landicho, now in his second year at the helm.

(“We knew there was a possibility that La Salle could come back. So I just reminded the team that the score doesn’t matter—we needed to reset. We still had to focus on our hitting because the game wasn’t over yet. That’s exactly what we did, and the players responded, which is why we were able to win this game.")

NU initially trailed by a run going into the third inning but finally broke through La Salle’s defenses behind pitcher Peter Nonaillada.

Kent Altarejos advanced to second base after a throwing error by La Salle shortstop Agorn De Vera. Moments later, Herald Tenorio brought his catcher Altarejos home with a hit up the middle, tying the game at 1-all.

Then came the fireworks. Nigel Paule, who nearly homered in their semifinals win over Adamson, connected this time with a thunderous grand slam, sending the ball off the left-field wall with Tenorio, Maulit, and Gio Gorpido on base. The four-run bomb gave NU a commanding 5-1 lead.

"I've always believed in Nigel; hindi nawala 'yung tiwala ko sa kanya. Actually, kinausap ko siya nung isang araw, sabi ko sa kanya na ikaw mag-MVP sa Finals, and so far so good, kasi naka-hit siya ng grand slam," said Landicho of Paule’s breakout performance.

(“I've always believed in Nigel; I never lost trust in him. In fact, I talked to him the other day and told him, ‘You’re going to be the MVP of the Finals,’ and so far, so good—he hit a grand slam.")

La Salle, however, was not ready to roll over. The Green Batters responded in the top of the fourth inning, leveling the game at 5-all. Ezy Bautista’s RBI single brought Marco Flores home, before an error on Paule’s failed fielding attempt allowed two more runs. JR Alcontin then capped the comeback by driving in Bautista.

But that proved to be La Salle's last stand.

In the bottom of the fifth, Maulit’s clutch hit sealed the momentum shift, as the Bulldogs piled on five more runs and never looked back.

Paule finished the game with a grand slam and four RBIs, while Maulit continued his hitting masterclass, recording three hits in six at-bats and driving in three runs.

On the mound, reigning Best Pitcher Amiel De Guzman anchored NU’s defense, limiting La Salle to just 11 hits and two earned runs over eight innings. Jherick Timban closed out the game in the ninth, not allowing a single baserunner.

Team captain Agorn De Vera paced the Green Batters with a 3-of-5 hitting clip, but his three errors proved costly. Alcontin added a hit and three RBIs for La Salle, which will now attempt to force a deciding Game 3 on Friday, May 9.