The UST Golden Sox started flat in UAAP Season 85, losing all their first-round games before rallying with four consecutive wins in the second round, only to narrowly miss the mark in the final match and settle for a fifth-place finish.
In Season 86, the Golden Sox aim to prevent a recurrence of past errors by adopting a more aggressive strategy, putting a primary focus on batting during the offseason.
“Rine-remind ko sila sa mga mangyayari. History ‘yon eh. Alam na nila ang mangyayari ‘pag nagre-relax sila,” head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian. “Killer instinct, ‘yon lang lagi kong sinasabi sa mga bata.”
“Sa opensa talagang yan ay magkokonekta lahat from top to bottom,” Santiago said.“‘Yon ang binibigyan ko ng focus ngayon. Tinuturuan natin ng mga technique…na-adapt naman nila yung ini-inject namin sa kanilang technique.”
The team’s offense this season will be led by Season 85 Most Valuable Player Justin Rosales and returning veteran catcher and national team player John Vargas, who was sidelined last season due to an ACL injury.
Santiago said the Golden Sox pitchers have upgraded their pitching arsenals to anchor the defense. The pitching department will be strengthened by the presence of Golden Sox ace Prince Geronimo and returning closer John Barsales, who suffered an MCL injury last season.
The coach also said the team would improve its outfield positioning, benefiting from the speed of its outfielders.
“Sa assessment ko sa team, talagang naka-reach sila sa standard ng competition skillwise. masasabi ko na competitive ang ating pitchers…outfielding, solid,” Santiago said. “Lahat ng mga area na butas nung last season, nagawan na natin ng paraan ‘yan.”
Long offseason
Santiago said that in Season 85, the Golden Sox faced challenges adjusting to the new venue at UP Diliman, as well as coping with sudden changes in player rotation due to injuries.
UAAP baseball’s three-year hiatus also hindered the team’s ability to scout opponents effectively.
The coach said the team’s participation in the 2023 One United Men’s Baseball Open, where they finished with a 3-6 record, helped them address these issues.
“Malaking bagay din para sa exposure kasi nandun ‘yong mga malalakas na team. Then na-a-assist natin ang mga bata ang kanilang paglalaro. Unlike last year, medyo kababalik lang, hindi masyadong nakita natin,” he said.
Besides their long and productive offseason, Santiago attributed the players’ more refined skills to their coachability.
“More coachable ang mga bata ngayon. They listen to my instructions, embrace my instructions, and na-e-execute. Pagka hindi kayo coachable, hindi kayo makakasunod sa mga signal, mga non-verbal communication natin,” he said.
Santiago expects tough competition in Season 86 but expressed confidence in his current Golden Sox roster, which is composed mainly of rookies, sophomores and a few veterans.
Santiago said that for the Golden Sox to reach the Final Four, they will need to work on their mentality.
“Confidence. Dagdagan pa yung grit, yung tapang. Then yung team work. Then focus, wala munang outside distractions,” he said.
The UST Golden Sox will face the University of Philippines Diliman in their Season 86 campaign opener on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m., at the UP Diliman Baseball Field.
