THE UST Golden Sox dropped their fourth-straight game after faltering against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 12-13, in the Philippine Baseball League at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday.
UST fell a point short of a comeback in the ninth inning, scoring just five runs courtesy of Jamil Santiago, Ediver Estera, Arniel Villariquez, Jayvee Selda and Anson Lipalam.
“(Kahit natatalo), malaking bagay na na-e-expose sila dito para sa UAAP kasi nagkaroon sila ng kompiyansa,” Golden Sox head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian.
With UST trimming its deficit to just two in the eight inning, 7-9, Ateneo punched in four insurance hits that sent Alvaro Macasaet, Paulo Macasaet, Marco Mallari and Andy Tan to home base, 13-7.
The Golden Sox started the seventh inning hot, converting three runs by Lipalam, Israel Antonio and Vince Mangapis, but the Eagles responded with two hits that sent Rod Bitong and Gino Tantuico to home plate to keep the lead, 9-6.
Ateneo rolled into the first inning with a two-run homer by Tantuico and a conversion by Macasaet A., 3-0.
Despite the loss, the Golden Sox registered 18 hits while the Eagles only had 11.
UST slid to last place with a 1-4 win-loss card.
The Golden Sox will try to break their losing streak against the National University Bulldogs on Jan. 26, Saturday, 10 a.m., at the same venue.
