BEHIND the calming presence of senior pitcher Richard Matic, Adamson University weathered University of Santo Tomas’ early storm, taking a come-from-behind 9-8 triumph to close out opening day of the UAAP Season 85 Baseball Tournament, Sunday at UP Diliman Baseball Field.
The game marked the first time in league history to play on after 6:00 p.m. as the new venue in Diliman had floodlights, making it possible to play night games.
“Okay tong field na ‘to kasi nakaka-experience kami ng night games. At least, nakatikim kami ng ganitong laro na hindi nangyayari sa La Salle,” said decorated Soaring Falcons head coach Orlando Binarao after the game that lasted for four hours and eight minutes.
But playing the entire nine innings — let alone winning was far from the mind of Binarao as the Soaring Falcons were down 7-0 in the very first inning and 8-1 in the next stanza.
“Noong una, akala ko maaga matatapos kasi mareregulation kami. Baka hindi kami maka-connect today. Simula nung naka-score kami, dahan-dahan umangat morale namin at bumaliktad yung momentum. Dun naisip ko na, amin ‘to. Uunti-untiin namin ito,” said Binarao.
After giving up seven hits that led to seven runs, Binarao immediately replaced Raymond Nerosa on the mound for Matic.
Matic took charge, resulting in just one UST run on seven hits while fanning three batters.
“Nung pinalitan ko si Nerosa, hindi na sila naka-score kay Matic,” added Binarao.
Slowly, the Soaring Falcons chipped into the Golden Sox lead, scoring a run in the second, three in the third, and two in the fifth, before tying things up in the seventh inning.
An error by UST centerfield Alyn Pinero led to the tying runs for Kristan Perez and John Leonel Matanguihan.
In the eighth inning, a sac-fly to center field by Reyes led to the go-ahead run for Nerosa.
Matic and the Adamson fielders then sealed off the UST batters in the ninth to complete the stunning victory.
“Mas paghahandaan pa namin yung mga susunod na laro kasi siguro kinabahan ang mga bata kaya ganun ang nilaro namin kanina,” said Binarao.
