Tag: 2013

WITH pitcher Mallows Garde sitting out the first three innings due to hand injury, the UST Softbelles failed to secure the last finals slot and succumbed to a more-composed National University (NU), 3-5, in their UAAP softball semifinals match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Feb. 17.

NU went up early win a run on Coleen Alilin’s solid centerfield hit at the top of the second inning. It was followed by two more runs, one from Whell Gene Nietes, in the succeeding frame.

But the Softbelles snatched the momentum at the bottom of the third inning as they scored two homeruns, the other one from Sundae Alipato, to trim the lead to one.

Garde finally entered the game in the uneventful fourth frame after NU had already erected a 2-3 advantage.

FOR THE three outgoing members of the UST Golden Sox, legacy was made each hard-fought game.

“Every inning na pinupukol ko, na nagpi-pitch ako, kasama na sa history ko ‘yun. Masarap sa pakiramdam, lalo na kapag pinapatapos ako ni coach ng game, nine innings straight, proud na ‘ko sa sarili ko ‘pag ganun,” team captain and number one pitcher Irvin Tuazon said.

Along with Tuazon, co-captain and catcher Nikko Reyes and third base man Gerard Mitra have all played their final game for the senior baseball squad. It was not the conclusion they had been hoping for: a heartbreaking loss to defending champion National University, 7-12, in their knockout match for the last finals slot last Feb. 10.

PBA’s loss is UST’s gain.

The bad news is Pido Jarencio won’t fulfill his dream of coaching his own team in the professional league soon. But the good news is he’s staying with the Growling Tigers in the next UAAP season where they are the clear favorite to bag the title.

No less than legendary UST coach Aric del Rosario is convinced that Jarencio is the best man to steer the Tigers to at least another Finals appearance.

“He’s tried and tested so he should stay on,” the 72-year-old del Rosario, architect of the Tigers’ four-straight titles in the 90s, said in Filipino. “He should just keep trying and he should improve the confidence of the team.”

UST MALE Woodpushers claimed solo second place following a 2.5-1.5 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP chess tournament at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Technology Building last Feb. 3.

The Male Woodpushers, who last held the crown in 1999, collected 22.5 points after nine meetings to stay within striking distance of six-time defending champion FEU Tamaraws, who remained on top with 24.5 markers.

UST team captain Patrick Erle Florendo and sophomore Steven James Dacanay racked up twin victories against Ateneo’s Louell Que and Lance See, despite the absence of veteran player Jude Fronda due to an academic commitment.

MENTAL lapses proved costly for the UST Golden Sox as they bowed down to defending champion National University, 7-12, in the UAAP baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Jan. 31.

UST slid to third place with a 5-3 slate while NU grabbed the solo second spot, 6-2, behind Ateneo de Manila University (7-1).

The Golden Sox, who beat the Bulldogs in their first-round encounter (7-5), pulled to within one, 5-6, at the bottom of the fifth inning. Team captain Glenn Tuazon walked to the home plate when rookie Bernardo Siaotong was hit by pitch, which accounted for a walk to the first base.

THE UST men’s and women’s football teams both settled for scoreless draws in separate matches against the Ateneo de Manila University.

The Golden Booters failed in their quest to hand top-ranked Ateneo its first loss of the season, while the Lady Booters could not break free from Ateneo’s suffocating defense in their duel last Jan. 21 at the Ateneo Ocampo Football Field.

Golden Booter Peter Ricamora launched two attacks in the 61st and 65th minutes in hopes of snatching the victory for UST. But both shots went straight into the hands of Ateneo’s goalie.

With only four minutes left, Leo Liay’s attempt from the left flank was successfully deflected by UST’s goalkeeper.