Adamson University kept its Final Four hopes alive after completing a come-from-behind 10-5 victory over the University of Santo Tomas, snapping a two-game losing skid in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Tournament, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Soaring Falcons soared to solo third in the standings with an even 4-4 record, just ahead of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (3-4), who were still playing against the league-leading National University Bulldogs (6-1) as of press time.
Trailing 4-5 at the bottom of the sixth inning, Kier Plaza jumpstarted a three-run rally with a booming double along the right foul line.
Two consecutive walks issued by UST starter Prince Harry Geronimo to Mark Montoya and JM Tupig loaded the bases for John Matanghuihan.
Two fielding errors by Season 85 MVP Justine Rosales, combined with a well-placed hit from rookie James Nisnisan, allowed Plaza, Montoya, and Tupig to score — giving Adamson a lead they would never surrender.
The San Marcelino-based squad tacked on three more runs in the eighth inning off reliever Jesus Cabigao to put the game out of reach and secure their fourth win of the season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
”Yun nga, nagsimula ang second round na natalo kami do’n sa finalists (last season), sa NU at saka sa La Salle. Ang sabi ko, kung hindi man kami manalo do’n sa dalawa, dito sa mga remaining games na kailangang manalo para may pag-asa sa top four. Top three na nga kami ngayon. Sinabi ko rin sa kanila na lahat ng games must-win; kaya mabuti itong sa UST naipanalo namin,” said long-time head coach Lando Binarao.
Adamson suffered two tough losses to the Bulldogs and the Green Batters earlier this month.
Rookie pitcher Milko Go Jr. was key in Adamson’s comeback, holding UST scoreless in the final four innings — including a gutsy ninth-inning stand when the Golden Sox threatened to mount a comeback.
After Cabigao was retired on a foul fly by Plaza, UST’s JR Vargas hit a single to right-center, but Go held firm, retiring Cedrick Marquez and Raniel Cardio in succession to end the game.
Go, a freshman from San Miguel High School, earned the win after pitching 5.2 shutout innings, allowing only three hits and striking out three — including the final two batters.
The offense also clicked for the Falcons, driving in 13 hits, mostly coming from those huge innings, with Kean Matanguihan leading the way with a four-on-five hitting clip and four RBIs.
Nisnisan added three hits on four at-bats and two RBIs.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST had a strong opening stretch, scoring all five of their runs while Kenneth Delos Reyes was on the mound.
Doubles from Marquez, Mhigeil Cerda, and Sean De Leon helped the Golden Sox build an early lead in the first four innings.
However, Adamson eventually broke through against Geronimo in the fourth inning and capitalized on UST’s defensive miscues.
With the loss, the Golden Sox dropped to 3-5, snapping a two-game losing streak.
With Final Four spots still up for grabs and another key match-up against fellow contender UP on the horizon, Binarao is calling on his players to finish strong.
”Ang gusto ko lang makita is ‘yung makapag-deliver sila sa opensa and at the same tame ‘yung pitcher is maka-hold. Tulung-tulong ba, opensa at depensa, ‘yan naman ang kailangan diyan,” said the seasoned mentor.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UST | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | |||||
| AdU | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | x | 10 | 13 | 1 |
