UST ends NU’s perfect run in UAAP Men’s Baseball

University of Santo Tomas showcased a relentless offensive display to hand defending UAAP Collegiate Men’s Baseball champion National University its first loss of Season 88, 5–4, on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Golden Sox pounded the ball all game, finally converting their efforts into runs in the eighth inning to seize the lead, securing their second win in six games.

Four consecutive hits off NU reliever Hilario Espina III brought in a second run and loaded the bases with Harry Geronimo, Cedrick Marquez, and Tim Caldo on. That prompted NU head coach Romar Landicho to bring in national team standout Amiel De Guzman.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

But undeterred by De Guzman, the Golden Sox continued their attack.

Eljin Mendoza smacked a two-RBI single to deep left field, tying the game, before Sean De Leon delivered the go-ahead run.

“Tanggalan ko sila ng scholarship eh, ‘pag hindi sila manalo. ‘’Yan ang challenge eh: ‘pag hindi ka manalo, maraming ga-graduate sa high school, tanggal ang allowance niyo,” joked head coach Jeff Santiago.

“Joke man ‘yan, pero kailangan mo talaga silang takutin. Kaya tingnan mo, lagi ko silang sinisigawan. Pero ganyan talaga ang culture sa UST baseball, medyo brusko. Kailangan mo talaga silang pukpukin,” the long-time UST mentor added.

“Ni-remind ko lang rin sila, 3–1 ‘yung last game. Last year natalo natin sila, hindi imposibleng talunin natin uli.”

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs remain atop the standings with a 5–1 record.

Mendoza, who replaced Erjohn Gallos, finished with one hit and two RBIs in the eighth, while Marquez contributed three hits in the squad’s total of 13.

Irvin Llave earned the win after shutting out NU over the final five innings, allowing just one hit.

The Golden Sox are provisionally in fifth place, trailing the Adamson Soaring Falcons’ 2–3 record. The two teams will meet again to close out the tripleheader on Sunday.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

NU controlled the first five innings, taking advantage of UST errors in the second and fifth to build a 4–1 lead.

Julius Cesar Soriano got his first hit in the second inning and scored on an errant play by Charles Chua, who later committed another fielding miscue, allowing Aaron Detoito to score.

Still, the Bulldogs managed only five hits in the game — insufficient to challenge the Golden Sox defense. Kevin Maulit contributed the lone NU run with his single.

The defending champions will aim to bounce back against the UP Fighting Maroons in Sunday’s opening game at 7:00 AM.