In the UAAP Season 87 baseball semifinals, it was a battle to reclaim lost glory — for the DLSU Green Batters, who were dethroned last season, and the UST Golden Sox, who last appeared in the finals in 2017. But nine innings weren’t enough, as both teams were deadlocked at 5-all in the bottom of the 11th inning on April 29.
With Green Batters Vince Flores and Renato Samuel at second and third base, respectively, Golden Sox center fielder Mark Cabase caught Yuan Sumague’s fly ball and fired a throw to home plate, giving catcher John Reymond Vargas just enough time, in theory, to tag out the sprinting Samuel.
But whether it was the pressure of knowing the season was on the line, or the weight of his final UAAP game, Vargas narrowly missed the catch, allowing Samuel to score the walk-off run and punch DLSU’s ticket to the finals.
Vargas had no other way to let out his frustration. He threw down his glove, removed his chest protector, and collapsed onto the historic grounds of Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium at the end of UST’s Final Four heartbreak against DLSU.
“‘Yong last play talaga, ‘di ko na naisip talaga kasi sobrang pressured na sa game,” he told the Varsitarian. “Tapos. ‘di ko na rin nabasa ‘yong bola, ‘yong bounce ng bola, kaya tumalbog na lang sa glove. Naisip ko, pang-baseball ba talaga ako?”
Season 87 was a resurgent year for the UST Golden Sox, who claimed bronze for their first podium finish since 2017. However, it also marked the end of Vargas’ three-year stint with the team.
That’s why Vargas’ desolation was palpable — and understandable.
“Sobrang naging emotional talaga ako kasi sobrang triny ko ‘yong best ko para sa team, para kina coach kasi gusto kong pangatawanan ‘yong pangako ko sa kanila na gusto kong ipaabot ‘yong team sa finals. Pero wala, ‘yon talagang binigay ng Panginoon,” he said.
Despite the loss, the Northern Samar native remained optimistic and wants to turn the heartbreak into motivation as he continues his journey with the Philippine national baseball team.
“Parang tinapik talaga ako, parang may tatrabahuhin pa ako. Hindi pa ako tapos, kailangan ko pa magsipag,” he said.
“Siguro, ito na rin talaga ‘yong pinaka nagpukaw sa akin na kailangan ko pa talagang pagsikapan sa susunod na karera ko sa pagbe-baseball ko. Mas gagalingan ko na lang sa national team talaga.”
Over the past three seasons, Vargas has been instrumental to the Golden Sox — especially during their strong, but near-miss, second-round rally in Season 85 and Final Four appearances in Seasons 86 and 87.
He was named the Season 87 Most Valuable Player.
“Kinakatakutan naman siya ng mga kalaban natin. Talagang naka-contribute siya sa UST. Unluckily, hindi siya naka-champion,” UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago told the Varsitarian.
Outside the UAAP, Vargas has been a key player for the national team, helping it win its fifth straight title in the BFA East Asia Cup in November 2024.
He was named Best Outfielder of the tournament, posting a .563 batting average and driving in seven RBIs, including a tournament-high two home runs.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in fitness and sports management in 2023, Vargas pursued a master’s degree in education, majoring in educational leadership and management, at UST.
As he moves on from the UAAP, Vargas hopes to retain the discipline that earned him a place on the Golden Sox and national team, while staying open to wherever the future leads.
“Simula no’ng pumasok ako sa UST, ‘yon (sipag) ‘yong talagang pinanghawakan ko. Mula una hanggang ngayon, dala-dala ko ko ‘yon. Kaya nakapunta ako ng national team dahil sa sipag din talaga,” he said.
“Marami pang mga plano pero hindi ko na pangungunahan. Hahayaan ko na lang ‘yong Diyos kung ano ‘yong plano niya sa akin. Susundan ko na lang kung ano ‘yong gusto niya para sa akin.” with reports from Clyde Leanne M. Salamatin
