PAREF Southridge School has always been a proud baseball program at the high school level, producing talents who eventually advanced to collegiate baseball in the UAAP.
Part of this legacy is its current head coach, Bocc Bernardo, who played a key role in Ateneo de Manila University’s title run in UAAP Season 75 — his final year in the league.
Though some may not know his roots in the Alabang-based school, the former Blue Eagle’s love for the sport extended to giving back to his high school alma mater as its head coach.
For Bernardo, seeing the Admirals compete in the league he once played in, against the top high school teams, was already a dream come true.
With luck not always on their side throughout the season, the young tactician was prepared to accept whatever result came at the end of the final elimination game against the reigning champion, University of Santo Tomas.
But his wards found a way to navigate past the Junior Golden Sox.
“Well, siyempre, ayoko namang sabihin na chamba, but the first thing I realized during those knockout games was that iba yung fighting spirit ng boys. To be honest, we were playing UST, and we were down 5–0. I was almost ready to accept our fate na hanggang dito lang kami,” said Bernardo.
“Not only did the boys prove that they belonged, but they also proved that they could win the championship. They outplayed themselves para makuha yung opportunity to play in the championship.”
Two days later, Southridge not only secured a win against National University Nazareth School but also captured the school’s first-ever UAAP Finals berth in any sport — marking its highest finish ever in the league.
And this is a milestone that Bernardo and the team will cherish with pride.
“I’m excited, I’m honored, but mixed emotions; I cannot believe it either. How and why did we get this far? This is an opportunity we won’t waste,” said the former Southridge standout.
Following the school’s successful debut in the UAAP with its football program the previous season, sports director Darrel Arevalo explored entering other high school sports programs. Naturally, baseball — one of Southridge’s most respected programs — was a top consideration.
“Our sports director, when we started last year in football, gave us a heads-up that he wanted to explore baseball. I was ecstatic about it. We were more than willing to accept that challenge, and we prepared for it,” Bernardo recalled.
“Even before we got the green light, we were already preparing for the UAAP. The boys sacrificed a lot — the parents, as well — their time and resources. The parents were excited, and we had no expectations, but we made it this far.”
Now that the dream has become reality, Bernardo takes a moment to soak it all in.
“Yes, it was my dream. It was my wish kung paano makakasali ang Southridge sa UAAP. Dati may requirement na dapat may college ka, but buti nalang they opened the doors to guest teams. We are grateful to the UAAP — it was a very good experience for the boys,” said the former Ateneo catcher.
With history on the line — becoming the first-ever guest team to win a UAAP title — Bernardo wants his players to maintain the heart and courage they displayed in the past four do-or-die games.
There were contrasting results against neighbors De La Salle Zobel in the eliminations, but Bernardo hopes the Admirals — who fought hard to pull off a narrow second-round win — carry that momentum forward.
“Kanina, after the game, I was probably very emotional. I told them that when I was preparing for this game, of course, I didn’t forget to pray. But I thought maybe it was too much to ask the heavens for another win. Fourth straight?” Bernardo reflected on the game against the NUNS Bullpups.
“Kanina, I was coaching as if there was a certain acceptance. I told myself that the boys did their best to get this far — nothing to lose. We were happy to be in a playoff,” he admitted.
“But the boys stepped up this game. Siguro, may divine intervention na pinag-uusapan namin kahapon pero this time, it was going to be in our hands, sabi ko sa kanila. It will be in their hands, where we go from here. Don’t expect that something else will help us. There’s prayer and everything, but the boys stepped up.”
They are now a step closer to realizing not just the dream of being in the UAAP, but maybe taking it all. Bernardo wants to see the Admirals build on this momentum starting this Saturday.
“So ang goal ko lang in the next three games is to give the boys confidence. These guys we are playing — we already played them — won four straight in the last four games. Every time we stepped on the plate and played on defense, they stepped up when their number was called,” he said.
“Confidence is key to winning all the way.”
