Kevin Maulit played the hero’s role once again as National University erupted with a five-run explosion in the fifth inning to secure a dominant 16-7 victory over La Salle and move on the cusp of back-to-back UAAP baseball titles on 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 that produced three runs in the fifth inning and 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.
NU initially trailed by a run going into the third inning but finally broke through La Salle’s defenses behind pitcher Peter Nonaillada.
