UST breaks four-game slide in UAAP baseball as Geronimo K’s 11 in win over Ateneo

University of Santo Tomas snapped its four-game losing streak by completing an elimination-round sweep of Ateneo de Manila University, 11-3, in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Tournament, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Golden Sox claimed their second win of the season, following their opening-day victory over the Blue Eagles — a 13-3 rout in seven innings — and moved into a tie for fourth place with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, both sporting a 2-4 win-loss record.

In a performance reminiscent of their first-round encounter, UST delivered a defensive clinic, anchored by a stellar, no-relief outing from Prince Harry Geronimo, who guided his team to the much-needed win.

The homegrown pitcher, a product of UST’s high school program, allowed three unearned runs on six hits from Ateneo. Geronimo also struck out an impressive 11 batters, including three in the seventh inning, effectively shutting down any hopes of a Blue Eagles comeback.

“Maganda, maganda ng pinukol (ni Harry). Pero kailangang-kailangang i-boost mo talaga siya kasi minsan nade-demoralize siya kapag may mga nagkakamaling teammates at kailangang i-ga-guide mo siya,” said long-time head coach Jeff Santiago.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

The offense backed up Geronimo’s efforts, with graduating senior JR Vargas leading the charge.

Vargas finished with two hits in five at-bats, including a double in the second inning and a triple in the eighth. He drove in one RBI, scoring substitute Justine Rosales in the eighth.

Cedrick Marquez added three hits in four at-bats, while Jesus Cabigao contributed two hits and drove in two RBIs, sending Vargas home in both the first and eighth innings.

Santiago hopes that his team’s momentum carries over to their next game against defending champions National University on Sunday at 7:00 AM.

The Golden Sox lost a tight 14-15 contest to NU on March 19.

“Itong NU na next game; kami nung last game namin is extended game. Sana ganon pa rin ang mangyari, pero kami naman ang manalo sa endgame. Sana ma-condition ko ang mga players ko para sa game na ‘yon. Kasi kailangan namin ng mas maraming panalo ngayong second round para may chance pa kami; isa, dalawang talo pa, mahihirapan na kami,” Santiago added.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

On the other hand, Ateneo dropped to 1-5, remaining in sixth place.

The Blue Eagles’ rally in the eighth inning came too late to close the gap. Six batters ended the game with one hit each, and Angelo Bernardo drove in one RBI in the seventh inning, scoring Rafael Aquino.

However, it was all Ateneo could manage, as the nine runs allowed by Manuel Senador in the first six innings were too much to overcome.

Khristian Ferrolino gave up two additional runs in the final three frames.