NAGA CITY – Black, gold and white remain as the colors of the diamond throne in the Private Schools Athletics Association (Prisaa).
Representing the National Capital Region (NCR), the UST Golden Sox and Softbelles once again dashed their Region XI counterparts’ title hopes as they ruled separate finals matches last April 25 at the Metro Naga Sports Complex in Pacol district here.
The Golden Sox, the defending “three-peat” champion, subdued their Region XI opponents via a 10-8 nail-biter, while the Softbelles, reigning titlists, essayed a lopsided 19-1 finals victory to cap the week-long tournament with unblemished win-loss records.
“All the teams that participated in this year’s Prisaa greatly improved. Even the Davao team we faced last year got stronger that’s why we fought a thrilling fight in the championship,” UST Golden Sox coach Jeffrey Santos, who was named as the Best Coach, told the Varsitarian.
“Our team has a solid line-up. We did not depend on one player alone to win the match.”
The Davao-based batters opened the first-inning with a runner from Earl Del Socorro courtesy of John Lingan’s solid centerfield hit. But UST was just too hot to handle on the offensive end with seven of its nine batters circling the bases, including a pair of homers from Nikko Reyes and Jerald Dinglasa.
Both teams went scoreless in the second and third innings before Region XI exploded with three runs in the fourth as Rogie Emiliano, Lingan, and Mart Mandalupe reached home plate to fuel Region XI’s offensive engine.
Kasuchay Argel batted in a powerful centerfield blow to send teammates Erwin Manuel and Ivan Gabay home.
With both teams playing good defense, the fifth inning ended in a scoreless affair.
But come the sixth, Del Socorro, who secured a triple via a strong left field attack, reached the plate prior to Fidel Miras Jr.’s flyout to score the lone run for Davao, which the black-and-gold crew failed to counter at the turn.
Tempers flared in the same offensive encounter as Del Socorro tagged base-runner Gabay hard from behind while chasing him on his way to third base. Del Socorro was then slapped with a warning for unsportsmanlike behavior.
Two consecutive fly balls got Region XI’s Ryan Lleva and Mark Tagaod out but Emiliano rifled a long left field hit to send Del Socorro and Ferylan Bas home to end a walkathon seventh inning for the Davao batters.
UST’s Angelito Castillo then converted a run from third base off a fielding error by Region XI catcher Emiliano.
Mandalupe answered back with his own run to trim UST’s lead to only two points in the eight inning. But that was Region XI’s final heave as UST choked the running lanes with tight fielding plays to shut down their opponents in the ninth inning.
The Golden Sox, who topped the series’ Group A eliminations, earned a return trip to the finals with an 11-1 demolition of Group B second-placers Angeles in a crossover semifinals last April 24.
In previous matches, the Golden Sox-powered NCR delegation whipped Region XII, 20-3, last April 23, a day after thrashing Region II, 12-2. The Golden Sox pulled off a 16-1 opening game conquest over Region VII last April 21.
“In the previous UAAP season, our rookies did not deliver well because they were still nervous and pressured during crunch time. Playing here in PRISAA boosted their morale and gave them enough exposure for the UAAP,” Santiago said.
Meanwhile, Golden Sox pitcher Glen Tuazon was named tournament MVP.
Two-in-a-row
Reinforced by national team members, the UST Softbelles needed only three innings to dispatch Region XI via the mercy rule.
“Last year, our team was already tough because we had two national players in our. But the team got stronger this year,” Softbelles coach Sandy Barredo told the Varsitarian.
UST punished its Davao counterparts from the get-go, building a 13-0 lead in the first two innings of the game.
Lani Sarmiento’s homer off her centerfield hit fortified UST’s insurmountable lead in the third inning as Region XI went scoreless.
Region XI’s right fielder Analou Vanzuela committed a crucial catching error that sent Lilet Arago at home plate during the fourth inning, to spark four consecutive runs from Aiza dela Torre, Ana Paghubasan, Melanie Laserna and Sharmaine Dionisio.
Region XI’s Jonalyn Cabije saved her team from a looming shutout as she soloed home to finalize the outcome, 19-1.
UST booked a ticket to the championship with an 11-0 whitewash Region XII, last April 24. A day earlier, the UAAP Season 71 third-placers posted a twin kill over Cordillera Administrative Region and home team Region V, 3-1, and 14-1, respectively. UST carved a pair of 10-0 wins over Regions II and VI last April 21 and 22 respectively.
Aside from the championship title, UST also bagged several individual awards. Softbelles team captain and pitcher Dela Torre, second baseman Rossinni Antipatia, shortstop Dionisio, UAAP Season 71 Rookie of the Year and third baseman Paghubasan and right fielder Arago were hailed as the tournament’s crème of the crop in their respective positions while Barredo was named Best Coach.
