Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Baseball

Mark Tuballas looks to make UP return worth it


It’s been seven years since Mark Tuballas first stepped foot on a UAAP diamond.

But on Sunday, he felt like a rookie again.

Tuballas, 23, had the chance to forgo his final year with University of the Philippines after getting his degree in 2021.

The native of Northern Samar, however, did not feel satisfied with how his UAAP career went by.

After all, the Fighting Maroons only accumulated a 5-34 record.

“Bitin kasi sa akin yung four years, kasi wala pa kaming napakita talaga. Tapos gumanda pa yung suporta sa UP baseball,” shared Tuballas.

“So sabi ko, one last dance para sa UP. Malay natin, maka-champion kami ngayon, so we’ll see.”

UP has a loaded squad for this season, headlined by rookies from baseball hotbed Tanauan, Batangas.

And the UP depth showed to open UAAP Season 85 as the Fighting Maroons defeated De La Salle University with a score of 11-7.

It was the first time UP had beaten La Salle in Tuballas’ stay in Diliman.

UAAP-85-Baseball-Mark-Tuballas-UP-3 Mark Tuballas looks to make UP return worth it Baseball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

“Alam ko sa team ko na kaya namin pero siyempre iba pa rin kung UAAP na. At sobrang laki ng jump namin kasi champion team yung natalo namin,” said Tuballas, who went 2-of-5 at-bat with a double and a triple that led to an RBI.

“Sa apat na taon na naglalaro ako sa UAAP, hindi namin tinalo yung La Salle tapos lagi kami tinatambakan. Kaya sobrang laking panalo ito para sa amin.”

Unlike in past seasons, Tuballas is no longer the junior. Now, he is the “kuya.”

And he has started to embrace that role.

#ReadMore  UAAP 85 WVB: Ubaldo, FEU dump Ateneo in 4, stay in playoff race

“Buti nakikinig sila sa akin kasi naging coach din nila ako. Tatlo yung role ko dito sa team — captain, kuya, at coach. So medyo mabigat itong responsibility na ito pero kinakaya naman,” he shared.

UP is currently in a 19-year title drought.

Though Tuballas does not know whether this team could end it, what he is sure of is that he won’t have any regrets.

“Wala, sabi ko pag naglaro ako kailangan ko galing. Worth it na bumalik ako whatever happens, manalo o matalo. Hindi ko pagsisisihan ito.”

Written By


You May Also Like

AdU

WITH a UAAP Season 87 Baseball Final Four berth on the line, rookie Milko Go Jr. and the Adamson defense rose to the occasion,...

Baseball

Mhigeil Cerda had been quiet all game — grounders, pop-ups, and missed chances. But with the season on the line and the bases loaded...

AdU

University of the Philippines breathed new life into its UAAP Season 87 Baseball Final Four hopes with a thrilling 13-12 victory over first-round tormentor...

Baseball

National University secured the first ticket to the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Final Four, bouncing back with a 12-5 victory over University of the...

ADMU

University of the Philippines secured a crucial comeback victory in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Tournament, defeating first-round tormentor Ateneo de Manila University, 11-7,...

Baseball

Peter Nonaillada delivered the game-winning moment that propelled De La Salle University to a thrilling walk-off 5-4 victory over University of the Philippines in...

AdU

After five days and 19 hours, Adamson University finally completed its dramatic comeback against University of the Philippines. The Soaring Falcons wrapped up their...

Baseball

Kobe Torres anchored University of the Philippines’ defense in a much-needed 7-2 victory over University of Santo Tomas, securing their second win in the...

Advertisement