UST's final run at the UAAP overall title will depend on the performance of its remaining squads.
Here is the last installment of the Varsitarian’s fearless forecast for Season 76.
BASEBALL
Last year: Third place
Prediction: Runner-up
Absorbing heavy blows from losing last season’s top pitcher and team captain Irvin Tuazon, Season 74 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nikko Reyes and third base man Gerald Mitra, the UST Golden Sox need to work on chemistry among the players if they are to improve from last year’s third-place finish.
“We can’t be lenient. National University (NU), De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines (UP), [and] even Adamson University can be considered threats,” coach Jeffrey Santiago said.
He blamed the team’s downfall last season to his wards’ health problems.
“A slugger, Christian Mercado, had chicken pox while Bernardo Siaotong had a knee injury. We missed their crucial presence on the pitch,” Santiago said.
Now back in healthy condition, Mercado, Siaotong and former Rookie of the Year Arvin Plaza, along with sophomore pitchers Max Mercado and Kirk Daquis, will fortify the Golden Sox’ lineup.
Santiago also sees rookie pitcher Lesmar Ventura and catcher Marlon Gonzales as vital additions to the team.
CHESS
Male Woodpushers
Last year: Champion
Prediction: Champion
The Male Woodpushers banked on a slim 1.5-point margin to snatch the title from Far Eastern University (FEU) last season, and now they are looking to build a dynasty.
Coach Ronald Dableo and the rest of the team will rely on MVP Timothy So Cua and veteran Steven Dacanay to continue the winning ways and fend off FEU and Adamson.
“They say FEU is still the team to beat but actually, I’m more nervous about Adamson,” Dableo said. “We are always prepared and although some of our players left, those who stayed are still capable.”
The defending champions know it will be a tougher outing this season, but they know it’s all part of the game.
“The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph,” Dableo said.
Female Woodpushers
Last year: Fifth place
Prediction: Final Four
Climbing up the UAAP ladder will be no easy task for the Female Woodpushers, but team captain Loraine Salinas is confident that the team will finally make noise with new talents and better attitude this year.
“The aura is better now. We’re happy in the team and there are no problems unlike last year due to the attitude of other players,” she said.
Salinas still considers perennial powerhouse De La Salle University as one of their biggest hurdles in the coming season.
FENCING
Male Fencers
Last year: Fourth place
Prediction: Final Four
For the Male Fencers, the championship can wait, but it doesn’t mean they will not give it a good fight.
Losing most of the veteran players will be UST’s main problem this season, leaving only team captain Chris Fombuena the most experienced in the lineup.
Rookies Noelito Jose, Dino Arribas, Arlone Montalvo, Bryan Tan, Gian Aribe, Jessie Suarez, Metthew Domantay, Bonn Pascual and Jerald Poblacion will suit up for the rookie-laden Male Fencers, who last emerged champions in Season 74.
Female Fencers
Last year: Second place
Prediction: Finals
Parading almost the same lineup, the Female Fencers are poised to finally bring home UST’s first ever championship in women’s fencing since its inception in 1997.
Team captain Hanniel Abella said the Female Fencers are much stronger this season compared last year after developing stronger chemistry and earning enough experience.
Six-time defending champion University of the East remains the main threat for UST as some of its players also play and train for the national team. Abella, alongside co-captain Donita Navarro, will steer the Female Fencers this season.
“We’ve always stuck to our goal ever since, and that’s getting the championship,” Abella said.
FOOTBALL
Golden Booters
Last year: Fifth place
Prediction: Top three
After a so-so Season 75 performance, the UST Male Booters are raring to bounce back and contend for the championship once again.
Head coach Marjo Allado believes his wards have what it takes to win it all this year as they only have a few more tactical adjustments and polishing to make.
“We have mostly young players but it’s a good team. We have what it takes to become the champion,” he said.
The Golden Booters did not compete in the annual University Games; instead, they gained experience by participating in different off-campus tournaments as well as having tune-up games against Division 1 teams from the United Football League.
“Everyone in the team will play. The boys are in good shape,” Allado said.
Lady Booters
Last season: Third place
Prediction: Finals
Failing to defend their crown last year motivated the UST Lady Booters to go all out this season.
Coach Bon Estrabon said they still have problems with attacking, but he is confident they have enough time to adjust.
“Every time after training, we conduct drills, especially for the strikers, so we can work on whatever it is that they lack,” he said.
The runner-up finish in the Unigames was a good start for the Lady Booters, but Estrabon remains wary of FEU and the entire season ahead.
“Almost all of FEU’s players are coming back, but of course we need to watch out for the other team’s players as well since they step up every time the opponent is UST,” he said.
The Lady Booters will be led by former UAAP MVP Mariz Magdolot.
SOFTBALL
Last year: Third place
Prediction: Final Four
With the tournament only less than a month away, coach Sandy Barredo expects a tough season as the UST Softbelles still lack enough practice on the field due to weather disturbances.
“Since June, we didn’t have the time to practice on the field because of the rain. We really need to improve our offense and avoid errors,” he said.
After losing short-stop player Lovely Basa to graduation, Barredo made a lot of adjustments to at least conform to their usual player rotation.
Veteran players Joy Oria and Rachel Secor will also sit out for the season after sustaining academic deficiencies that disallowed them to play.
Despite that, Barredo expects a different story for UST this season as dominant three-peat champion Adamson will lose nine players, all part of its starting lineup.
Sisters Mallows and Marris Garde will be the main scoring options for the Softbelles, who last held the championship in 2009. Alexis U. Cerado, Ralph Joshua D.R. Hernandez and Paul Kennedy A. Lintag
