THE UST Golden Sox faltered against the Philippine Air Force Lawin, 8-3, in the Philippine Baseball League Open Conference opener at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday.
Air Force started the game on fire with four runs courtesy of Joennard Pareja, Christian Galedo, Junmar Diarao and Clarence Caasalan, 4-0.
“Kahit natalo kami, malaking bagay sa mga bata na nakakalaban sila ng malalakas at RP team pero kahit na ganon, lagi kong sinasabi na dapat mas dominante ang utak ninyo kaysa sa kanila,” Golden Sox head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian.
UST got two conversions back in the fourth inning after runs-batted-in by Israel Antonio and Jan Santiago that sent Vince Mangapis and Antonio home, 2-4.
Lawin delivered the finishing touches in the last two innings, hammering four runs via Andro Cuyugan, Ferdinand Liguayan, Caasalan and Galedo.
Air Force pitcher Romeo Jasmin tallied five strikeouts, while the UST quartet of Rafael Regalado, Arnel Villariquez, Arson Lipalam and Mangapis only amassed two.
The Golden Sox will try bounce back against the Thunder Bolts on May 25, Saturday, 11 a.m., at the same venue.
