Juniors’ baseball MVP stays with UST

UAAP Season 80 juniors’ baseball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Mark Beronilla has agreed to join the UST Golden Sox, who own the most number of league titles at 24.

The 17-year-old Beronilla helped turn around a UST high school squad that bagged the crown in dominant fashion.

Aside from the MVP award, Beronilla was also named Best Hitter, Best Sllugger, and Best Third Baseman. He also recorded the most runs-batted-in, and most home runs.

He hopes to step up his game in the collegiate league.

“Sobrang laki ng pressure lalo noong ‘yung mga seniors konagbibiro na ’uy MVP!’ [Pero] tine-take ko ‘yung [pressure]positively kasi umaasa sila na mas maganda ‘yung ipapakita kosa seniors division,” he told the Varsitarian. 

Coach Jeffrey Santiago said he would likely field Beronilla as a third baseman and pitcher, the same position he played in the juniors’ division. 

“‘Yung pinaka-mindset ko lang is ‘yung maging champion kasi‘di ko in-expect na magkaroon ng individual awards. Basta ginawa ko lang ang makakaya ko para matulungan ‘yung team na tumaas ‘yung position. Previous seasons kasi last kami sa standings,” Beronilla said.

Born in Tondo, Manila, Beronilla was introduced to the sport in the fifth grade by Emmanuelito Llave, father of Junior Sox teammate Ivan.

Beronilla was enticed by the benefits of UST’s sports program which prompted him to set his eyes on playing for the Junior Sox.

“Sabi niya (Llave), makakapagaral ako sa UST, bibigyan ako ng scholarship. ‘Yun yung nag-motivate sa akin,” he said.

Prior to UST, Beronilla played as a pitcher under Emmanuelito for the Antonio J. Villegas Vocational High School’s baseball team. 

He transferred to UST upon reaching senior high schooland played pitcher in Season 79 before Santiago put him as a third baseman for Season 80.

“Na-discover lang ni coach (Santiago) ngayong fielding na kaya ko mag-third base kaya nilagay niya ako roon. Sa tingin kogagawin niya akong pitcher [sa seniors’] tapos third baseman nalang din eventually,” he said.

Other Junior Golden Sox players that committed to the seniors’ program are Llave, Israel Antonio, Jan Emmanuel Santiago and Brix Bedia.