Facing a top-ranked University of Santo Tomas side stacked with experience both locally and abroad, Chester Mark Mateo turned in his finest performance yet for National University Nazareth School in the UAAP Season 88 High School Baseball Tournament.
The right-handed pitcher from Roxas, Palawan, went the distance, tossing a complete game to lift the Bullpups to a gritty 4-3 victory on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium — one that pushed them to the top of the standings.
Mateo limited UST to just four hits across nine innings while striking out six, as NUNS overtook the defending champions in the standings and improved to a 4-2 record.
Also an outfielder for the Bullpups, Mateo hopes the breakthrough win over UST will fuel their confidence as they continue their strong run in the tournament, especially for a team that is still in its infancy. The squad has been together for just seven months since head coach Romar Landicho formed the team.
“Sana nga po magtuloy-tuloy na itong magandang ipinapakita namin, kasi ito po ang first UAAP namin. Ngayon lang po kami nakasali sa big tournament kasi galing po kami sa iba-ibang lugar bago mapunta sa NUNS,” said the 18-year-old Mateo.
The Bullpups are composed of players hailing from Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Baguio, Cavite, Northern Samar, Aklan, Laguna, Marikina City, and Pasig City.
Mateo also made his presence felt offensively, collecting two hits — including a triple — while drawing a walk and swiping a base against UST.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Beyond the numbers, Mateo said every opportunity on the mound, at the plate, or in the field is fueled by his desire to keep his UAAP dream alive.
“Sobrang saya ko lang po na nandito na ako sa UAAP ngayon, kasi pangarap ko lang ito dati,” he said.
Landicho, who first took notice of Mateo during the 2024 Palarong Pambansa in Cebu, felt impressed by his pitcher’s composure and stamina. He added that tight, high-pressure games like this are crucial to the Bullpups’ growth.
“Naging exceptional talaga si Mateo. Surprisingly, kinaya niya buong laro. Actually, this is the first time na makita ko siya ganoon mag-perform. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said Landicho, who also steers the back-to-back UAAP collegiate champions NU Bulldogs.
“Ito yung best teacher talaga, maexperience yung mga ganitong labanan na dikitan talaga. Ito yung makakapagturo sa kanila ng tunay na baseball.”
Despite climbing to the top spot, Landicho emphasized that nothing has been settled with three play dates remaining and the finalists yet to be decided.
NUNS may sit at 4-2, but UST and De La Salle Zobel are just half a game behind at 3-2, while guest team PAREF Southridge trails closely at 3-3. Ateneo de Manila University, meanwhile, is already out of title contention with a 1-5 record.
“We will make sure yung momentum hindi mawala sa amin. Ayaw lang namin ma-down ulit pero syempre tatrabahuhin namin,” Landicho said.
