The UST Golden Sox ended their UAAP Season 88 run in fifth place after falling to the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 8-7, in a playoff for a Final Four spot on Wednesday, April 8, at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
UST finished two spots lower than its bronze finish last year, while UP advanced to the Final Four to face the National University (NU) Bulldogs in the semifinals.
“Sobrang ganda, parang championship, talagang nag-perform naman ang lahat,” UST assistant coach Mario Cerda Jr. told the Varsitarian. “Thankful pa rin ako kasi binigay naman nila ‘yong best nila. Talagang mas maganda lang ang opensa ng kalaban.”
Down 8-6 in the ninth inning, UST showed a glimpse of hope when Bokie Claro issued walks to Ybbrahim Degollacion and Jesus Cabigao before Tim Caldo’s hit to center field loaded the bases.
Harry Geronimo then laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Degollacion, but with two outs and the game on the line for Kevin Liwag, the rookie flied out to right field, dousing UST’s hopes.
“Marami ring mawawala samin at puro sophomores at rookies ang matitira. Babawi na lang kami next year, next season na lang ulit,” Cerda said.
UST struck first in the opening inning courtesy of Mark Cabase’s two-RBI double, driving in Charlie Belgar. A sacrifice hit from Cedrick Marquez then brought Cabase home to make it 2-0.
However, graduating pitcher Geronimo surrendered five runs in the bottom half after issuing four walks and committing multiple miscues that allowed UP to take a 5-2 lead. He was later relieved by Eljin Mendoza.
The Golden Sox inched closer in the fifth inning as Cabigao’s double plated Mendoza, and Marquez followed with his own double that brought Cabigao home to trim the deficit to 6-4.
UST then tied the game in the seventh, with Caldo’s double to left field scoring Belgar and Cabase, 6-6.
UP regained the lead in the bottom half when Nano Asuncion delivered a two-RBI double that scored Marvin Nalzaro.
In the eighth inning, Mendoza issued a walk to Kobe Torres to load the bases for UP, prompting UST to bring in Irvin Llave. However, UP managed to score one more run through Razhley Santos, extending the lead to 8-6.
UST managed only one run in the final frame as Liwag was retired for the final out.
“Happy pa rin ako kasi talagang naniwala sila sa sarili nila, all out sila, at binigay lahat. Maganda ‘yong mga play, malakas lang din talaga ang kalaban,” Cerda said.
“Talagang magre-ready kami para makaangat kami next season. May mga aangat naman mula sa high school team natin.”
The Golden Sox will miss seniors MJ Trillana, Geronimo, Caldo, Cabase, and Llave next season.
