When the UAAP Season 86 Baseball tournament started, MJ Carolino had only one goal: to win a championship in his last bark for National University.
It was fitting that the graduating pitcher received the starter nod for Game 2 in the Finals, as it was a huge opportunity to fulfill this ambition on his own terms.
With the desire to give back to the school that nurtured his prime in the sport, Carolino pulled out all the stops.
And he gifted the Bustillos-based institution its first UAAP championship since Season 74.
“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm po talaga. Kasi ‘yung ibang tao ang tingin sa NU, pang-Final Four lang talaga kaya,” said the Season 81 Best Pitcher, who dedicated the championship to his mentor – former Bulldogs pitcher and now pitching coach Junmar Diarao.
He went on, “Kaya thankful po kami na nagkaroon ng Final Four ngayon. Tapos nga nakuha pa naman ‘yung twice-to-beat, tapos nakuha pa namin ‘yung game (na ‘yon) against Ateneo.”
Carolino, who also came from the high school program of the NU Nazareth School, longed to be in the Finals – something he never experienced at that level.
When the time came, he was just happy to see a ‘different’ Bulldogs side come out this season.
“Yun talaga ‘yung kulang namin, ‘yung mental toughness. Talagang bumibigay talaga sa mga huling inning. Bale sa guidance na rin ng mga coaches namin, ‘yung tiwala nila sa’min na kayang-kaya naming mag-champion this season,” he said.
“Hinding-hindi rin sila nagsawang magkulang na ipa-adapt sa’min ‘yung puso na gusto nilang makita sa’min.”
With a stellar performance that secured his squad’s fifth title and himself his only UAAP title, Carolino was sent off by the league with a Finals MVP award.
The 24-year-old from Anda, Pangasinan is the only Bulldog who made his final run of the bases after that historic Sunday. And with essentially the same team aiming for a back-to-back title next season, he had this to say to his team.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila kanina, ibigay niyo na sa ‘kin tong championship, kasi ako last ko na, pero kayo marami pa kayong pagkakataon,” he closed.
“Tuloy niyo lang ‘yung ganyang laro para makuha niyo pa rin to next season.”
