THE UST Golden Sox ended their LGP Tingzon Cup campaign in second place after bowing down to the IPPC Hawks in the finals, 7-12, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 17.
UST finished the eliminations with a 5-2 win-loss record, including two wins over the UAAP Season 86 defending champions National University Bulldogs in the knockout rounds to advance to the finals.
UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago said the Golden Sox were able to cap their strong preseason with a “superb” performance this best-of-three finals despite yielding to a studded veteran team in IPPC.
“Actually unexpected. Sa performance ng mga bata, talagang hindi ko ine-expect na makarating ng championship ang mga bata considering na talagang napakalakas ng mga kalaban namin,” Santiago told the Varsitarian.
“Nandito kami at natuto kaming manalo. Siguro sa UAAP, matututo na rin kami manalo,” he added.
The Golden Sox found themselves in an eight-run hole after the Hawks scattered 10 runs, with two coming from national team player Mark Beronilla, in the second and third innings, 2-10.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning, Golden Sox John Vargas blasted an out of the park grand slam to cut the deficit to four, scoring Jester Tapia, Gelo Sy, and Raniel Carido, 6-10.
However, IPPC pitcher Clarence Caasalan, who was awarded the Most Valuable Player plum, held UST to seven hits and a single run, throwing seven of his nine strikeouts from the fifth through the ninth innings to seal the win.
Known for their batting prowess, the Golden Sox recorded all of the tournament’s four home runs, with two coming from Vargas, including this game’s grand slam and one during the elimination round.
IPPC’s Beronilla, a former Golden Sox, said he was impressed with UST’s showing in the tournament. However, he emphasized the need for the team to form stronger chemistry.
“Di ko na in-expect na sila ‘yung makakalaban namin sa finals,” Beronilla told the Varsitarian. “Individually, sobrang lakas nila, compare mo sa ibang team. Pero ayon nga, kailangan pa nilang maging team…Kayang kaya naman nila as long as maging maganda ang bonding nila.”
With no preseason tournament lined up, Santiago said the Golden Sox will now redirect their focus on strength and conditioning for the upcoming UAAP season.
“Babalik na kami sa conditioning, sa training na kami. And second season, sana magkaroon pa kami ng sponsor at makasali ulit dito sa tournament. Waiting for the second season ng paligang ito,” he said. with reports from Karla Louise B. Maningas
