THE UST Golden Sox absorbed a 12-2 thrashing at the hands of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Batters in their UAAP baseball opener at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday.
The Blue Batters, who led by just three points early in the game, scored four straight runs in the third inning courtesy of Dino Altomonte, Christopher Hilario, Marquis Alindogan and Conrado Banzon to take a 9-2 lead.
Banzon and Raphael Balagtas converted back-to-back runs in the fifth inning to seal the victory.
“‘Yung favor nasa kalaban. ‘Yung mga pitchers, doon kami na down talaga. [Sila] ‘yung inasahan na pitchers na mag-click, ‘di nag-click nang maayos,” UST team captain Max Andrew Mercado told the Varsitarian.
Kristian Angeles and rookie Jefferson Vergara were the only Golden Sox to reach homeplate in the second and third innings, respectively.
UST was shut out in the remaining four innings with Ateneo’s Juan Macasaet delivering six strikeouts throughout the match.
The Golden Sox will face defending champions De La Salle University on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
