THE UST Golden Sox thwarted the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 18-10, to secure solo second in the UAAP baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Wednesday.
The Golden Sox share identical 3-2 records with defending champions De La Salle University and Adamson University. But UST got the higher ranking with a superior quotient.
Up 13-10 heading into the eight inning, UST scored five runs by Ian Llave, team captain Max Mercado, Alwen Calbang Noriel Valencia and Ron Christian Dela Cruz to put the icing on the cake.
“This game, gumana ‘yung offense ng team. Also, maganda ‘yung pinakita ng mga pitchers natin,” UST coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian.
In the fifth inning, UP tried to gain momentum with conversions from Karl Peralta, SJ San Juan, and Gabby Yang, 5-10. But UST retaliated as Dela Cruz’s run-batted-in double sent Marlon Gonzales and Valencia back to the home plate, 12-5.
Javie Lopez then fired an RBI-triple to cut the Fighting Maroons’ deficit to four, 8-12, before a Peralta walk and San Juan run pushed UP closer, 10-12.
The Golden Sox will face the National University on Feb. 26, Sunday, at the same venue.
