February 11, 2016, 6:30p.m. – DEFENDING champions Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles eked out a 5-4 win over the UST Golden Sox in the UAAP Season 78 baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Thursday.
The Golden Sox could have snatched the win from Ateneo after tallying an RBI single from Jayrome Kimilat and successful runs from Max Andrew Mercado and Julius Diaz on the top of the fifth inning, 4-3. But Ateneo retaliated with two conversions from Marco Mallari and Kai Furusawa to protect the lead, 5-4.
“Sa mga pressured situations saka pa sila na-struck out. Siguro talagang mahina pa rin ang loob ng mga bata,” head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian. “Nandiyan na ang skills pero mahina ang loob. Mental toughness pa rin ang problema namin.”
Trailing by only a point, the Blue Eagles scored three quick points from Furusawa, Renzo Ramos and Ryan Tionloc runs on the bottom of the fourth inning to snatch the lead, 1-3.
UST scored the first point of the match after Max Andrew Mercado completed all the bases at the second inning courtesy of an error by Ateneo’s center fielder Mallari.
The Golden Sox, which holds a 1-2 win-loss card, will face De La Salle University on Sunday, Feb. 14, 7a.m., at the same venue.
