The UST Golden Sox suffered a heartbreaking loss against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 9-8, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s baseball tournament opening at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on Sunday, March 12.
Adamson’s Mark Manaig nailed a two-run homer in the seventh inning to tie the game at 8-all, before Angelo Pelingo hit a centerfield fly in the eighth inning that sent Raymond Nerosa to home plate, 9-8.
Golden Sox Richard Matic’s hit-by-pitch allowed two walks for UST for a chance to force another deadlock. However, a double-play by Adamson outed Golden Sox Irvin Llave and Marvin Trillana shut down the hopes for UST to extend the match.
UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago said he was disappointed with how the Golden Sox closed the match.
“Akala nila panalo na sila. Walang killer instinct. That’s the problem. Wala kaming score third to ninth, ibig sabihin tulog ang mga bata. Wala. Akala panalo na ‘nung first inning na lamang. Attitude ang problema,” Santiago told the Varsitarian.
“Actually, lamang na lamang kami doon sa laro na ‘yon. Nag-relax na sila. Second inning pa lang. Sabi ko sa kanila, alagaan natin ‘yan. Ang Adamson, hitting team ‘yan, nakaka-score ‘yan,” he added.
Leading by two in the bottom of the first inning, 2-0, Golden Sox outfielder Jester Tapia batted in a ground ball to hammer in two homers by Justine Rosales and John Vargas, 4-0.
Vargas scored a home run in the bottom of the second inning to put UST ahead by seven, 8-1.
UST struggled to score offensively in the bottom of the seventh inning after Adamson recalibrated their defense as Soaring Falcon pitcher Richard Matic struck out UST’s first three batters.
The Golden Sox went scoreless from the third through the ninth innings, allowing eight points for Adamson.
They will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the same venue on March 15, 7:30 a.m..
