THE UST Golden Sox used a huge 10th inning to outlast the De La Salle University Green Batters, 10-3, in the UAAP Season 81 baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Feb. 27.
With all the bases loaded in the 10th inning, La Salle pitcher Boo Barandiaran walked UST’s Mark Beronilla that sent Israel Antonio to home plate to push the Golden Sox ahead, 4-3.
“Malaking bagay na na-hold sa zero ang La Salle ng apat na inning. Noong extra inning na, pagod na ang pitcher nila, nagkonekta naman ang batting namin,” UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago said.
The Golden Sox added six more runs in the 10th inning courtesy of Ivan Llave, Jayvee Selda, Ron Christian de la Cruz, Jan Santiago, Gio Martinez and Beronilla, to put the Green Batters away.
Trailing 0-3 at the bottom of the fifth inning, La Salle’s Diego Lozano reached home off a wild pitch before Kiko Gesmundo’s sacrifice run-batted-in (RBI) sent Barandiaran back home, 2-3.
The Green Batters tied the game in the seventh inning after Iggy Escaño hammered a RBI triple that sent Lozano to home base, 3-3.
Up by just a point at the top of the fifth inning, UST’s Beronilla hammered a two RBI single, 3-0.
Gaining momentum
After losing their first game, the Golden Sox cruised to three-straight victories in the tournament.
UST lost their opening day game against Ateneo de Manila University via mercy rule, 13-3, before hitting in all cylinders en route to wins against defending champion Adamson University (10-7), National University (16-2) and last season’s silver medalist La Salle (10-3), respectively.
“Mayroon ng killer instinct ang mga bata. Simula nang manalo kami sa Adamson, palakas na nang palakas ang loob nila, may kumpiyansa na sila sa batting nila,” the 56-year-old mentor told the Varsitarian.
In its winning streak, UST’s batting was on fire and has been averaging 10.75 hits and 9.75 runs per game.
The tactician attributed the Golden Sox’s impressive showing to their willingness and eagerness to play and contribute to the team.
“Lahat nag-de-deliver, from one to nine sa batting order, malalim pa ang bench kaya anytime, puwedeng humugot ng pupukol o papalo off the bench,” he said.
UST pitchers de la Cruz, Llave, Vince Mangapis, Jackson Acuña and Arson Lipalam also have a hand in the streak by holding their opponents at the pitching mound, allowing only 6.66 hits in their wins and 6.25 earned runs per outing.
Even with 12 rookies in the 20-man lineup, team captain Alwen Calbang said the newcomers are proving their worth in the six-team tournament.
“Matatapang sila, gutom sa panalo, at gusto nila magpakilala sa UAAP. Gusto nila may mapatunayan, lumalaban hanggang dulo,” the Sports and Wellness Management senior said.
The Golden Sox is on a three-way tie with Ateneo and Adamson for first place behind a 4-1 win-loss card.
Up next for UST are the winless University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on March 3, Sunday, 7 a.m., at the same venue.
