DESPITE a strong start, the UST Golden Sox suffered a late meltdown in the first round and settled for fourth place in the UAAP Season 80 baseball tournament.
After winning three of their first four games, the Golden Sox dropped to the bottom half of the standings after losing their next four games.
UST finished the season with a 4-6 win-loss card, three wins less than their Season 79 record which got them to the finals.
Golden Sox head coach Jeffrey Santiago attributed the struggle to the team’s complacency.
“Nag-lie low ang mga bata, minsan hindi nakakapag-ensayo ang iba [dahil] maraming dahilan. Masyadong naging kumpyansa ang mga bata,” Santiago told the Varsitarian.
The Golden Sox took two discouraging mercy-rule losses during their four-game skid, first from eventual-fina
Three of their losses were decided by three points or less, including two one-point defeats against Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila University in the second round.
Santiago cited the team’s dependence on its pitchers as another reason for its downfall.
“Bumaba ang performance ng pitching no
The team’s pitchers dictated the tempo of the game and anchored the defense.
Santiago also cited the on-the-job trainings of graduating players as a key factor on why the team had a hard time practicing regularly.
But despite the early exit, Santiago lauded his wards.
“Kahit fourth kami, we proved na talagang re-respetuhin kami ng kalaban. Close play, talagang napupunta lang angbreaks sa kalaban,” he said.
UST will lose team captain Marlon Gonzales, co-captain Noriel Valencia, Mark Perez, Lesmar Ventura and Khino Sabiniano after exhausting their playing years.
New breed
Santiago said three “quality players” from Season 80 champions Junior Golden Sox will join the seniors’ team next season to help in the team’s bid for a championship they last won in 2011.
The recruits include Most Valuable Player Mark Beronilla, who also bagged the most home runs, most runs-batted-in, best slugger and best third baseman awards. Other recruits are Mythical Nine member John Israel Antonioand Ivan James Llave.
Santiago also said recruits from the 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Sur this April will also bolster the Golden Sox’s “more intact” lineup for the next season.
