Coming from Cavite National High School, Charles Chua had to undergo a steep learning curve when he joined a then-rebuilding National University baseball program.
Stripped of the glory it once enjoyed before the pandemic and coming off a coaching change, the Bulldogs were essentially starting from scratch — and so was Chua.
Fortunately, NU still had a core of seniors who were more than willing to help the rookie adjust to the demands of college baseball.
“Ang ginawa ko lang is adjustment lang rin talaga sa coaches. Kailangan makinig kami at hindi kami maging pasaway sa kanila. Ito, tuloy-tuloy naman kaming nag-champion; tuloy-tuloy lang rin ‘yung pakikisama,” the NU catcher recalled.
Even after missing the Finals in Season 85, Chua saw a team that fully embraced the need to rebuild and retool for the future, now guided by new tactician Romar Landicho and a refreshed perspective on the game.
“Pagkatapos ng pandemic, do’n ako pumasok. Pero nakita ko naman nung pagpasok ko na ‘yung teammates ko talagang buo talaga sila, tulong-tulong talaga sila. Hindi porke’t bago ka, hindi ka nila tutulungan; tumutulong talaga sila sa ‘min,” the Physical Education junior shared.
“Enjoy lang lagi, kahit hanggang sa acads tulungan lang rin. And kahit ‘yang mga seniors ko, talagang tulong at alaga talaga ang binigay nila.”
Season 88, however, was far from smooth sailing for NU. Unlike the previous two seasons, where they dominated their way to back-to-back championships, this year came with adversity — including losses, inconsistency, and, as the 21-year-old shared, logistical challenges.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Sa ‘kin lang naman, talagang napakahirap nitong season na ‘to kasi wala talaga kaming permanent na pinagpa-practice-an. Kumbaga, para kaming fireworks, kung saan-saan kami napupunta. Pupunta kami sa field na ganito, sa Batangas, sa ganito, ganyan, para lang makapag-training kami. Sobrang hirap na pinagdadaanan din ng coaches namin para lang din makapag-train kami,” he shared.
“Yung losses namin sa UST at sa UP, hindi naman kami ganoong nag-emote talaga. Kasi alam namin na kaya naman namin sila. Ang sabi lang ng coaches: execute lang, trabaho lang. Gawin lang namin ‘yung dapat gawin namin.”
This season also marked Chua’s first UAAP campaign as a starting catcher, taking over duties after backing up former starter-turned-coach Kent Altarejos.
While he showed steady growth on both offense and defense throughout the season, his bat went silent in the early innings of Game 3.
That drought, however, ended in timely fashion with a leadoff hit in the seventh inning — a spark that reignited NU’s offense after Julius Cesar Soriano’s home run in the previous frame.
“Sa akin lang, lagi lang sinasabi ng mga coaches na gawin lang namin ‘yung trabaho namin para makuha namin ‘yung panalo. Hindi naman kailangang palagpasin ‘yung mga palo eh. Kumbaga, sige, banggain niyo lang, lagay-lagay niyo lang diyan,” Chua recalled.
“Sobrang saya kasi in-expect ko talaga na tatama rin talaga ‘ko sa pitcher na ‘yon. Kumbaga, talagang kumpiyansa lang talaga. Ginawa kong inspiration ‘yung mga coaches talaga. Sabi lang nila na gawin lang namin ‘yung ginagawa namin sa training namin. Pati ‘yung mga seniors namin, grabe talaga ‘yung tulong na ginawa nila sa ‘min,” he added.
After helping ignite a three-run rally that put the Bulldogs ahead, Chua stepped back into the box two innings later with an even bigger moment waiting.
With graduating senior Kevin Maulit stationed at second base, any clean hit — whether a bloop or a drive into the gap — meant a walk-off win, a third straight championship, and a storybook ending to his UAAP career.
“Sa akin, sabi lang ng coaches, tapusin ko ng isang swing. And sa ‘kin, tiwala lang rin naman talaga ’ko sa sarili ko na kaya ko talagang tamaan ‘yung bola niya,” said Chua on his mindset.
With NU repeatedly attacking the left side, the third-year catcher delivered once more, sending the ball in that direction as Maulit crossed home plate to complete the Bulldogs’ three-peat.
For Chua, it was a moment of pure pride and release after everything the team had endured.
“Talagang sobrang saya talaga. And ‘yung mga seniors, alam kong sobrang saya rin nila, kasi pinagtrabahuhan talaga namin ‘tong championship na ‘to. Dapat wala na kaming ititira; ito na ‘yung last game namin; no doubts sa sarili kung anong mangyari, and maging thankful kami,” Chua shared.
Chua saved his best for when it mattered most — the Finals — and his steady presence throughout the season did not go unnoticed. In the end, he was named Finals MVP, an honor he received with humility rather than expectation.
“Itong award na ‘to sa ‘kin, hindi naman ako nag-expect. Ang ano lang is naglaro lang talaga ako na walang iniisip na mag-Finals MVP o ano. Inisip ko lang maglaro nang maayos at makapag-contribute sa team,” Chua ended.
