In a finals rematch seven years in the making, defending champion University of Santo Tomas reasserted its mastery over Ateneo de Manila University with an 18-6, seven-inning rout to secure the top spot at the end of the first round of the UAAP Season 88 High School Baseball Tournament on Wednesday.
The Junior Golden Sox’s third win in four games provided a timely boost heading into the second round, still to be held at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Coliseum, as they bounced back from an 11-13 upset loss to PAREF Southridge in their previous outing.
“Huwag lang maliitin ang kalaban kahit nakikita nila na tinatambakan ng previous games, parehong magagaling yan minalas lang ang mga yun. Kapag nag kumpyansa kasi, pag naiskoran mabibigla na lang ang player hindi na makabangon. Killer instinct dapat, hindi puwedeng nagkukumpyansa,” said UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago, recalling his reminders to the team before the game.
Joshua Ibabao starred for UST with a perfect day at the plate, reaching safely in all five of his plate appearances. The third baseman drove in five runs on three hits—including a double and a triple—while also drawing two walks. He stole three bases and crossed the plate in all five appearances.
Right fielder Joem Paragas also delivered, going 3-for-4 with two triples as the Junior Golden Sox piled up 12 hits, showcased patience with nine walks, and capitalized on Ateneo’s six errors.
UST applied pressure early with a 15-run outburst in the first four innings, a deficit Ateneo could not overcome despite a four-run rally in the top of the fifth that trimmed the gap to 15-6.
The Junior Golden Sox added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of Paragas, Ibabao, and Jacky Lobos on a passed ball, an error, and a Marcus Dela Cerna single, respectively. Eugene Hermozura then closed the game by retiring the side at the top of the seventh to enforce the mercy rule.
Ponce Ignacio paced Ateneo with three RBIs on a double to left field in the fifth inning, while ace pitcher Mio Ilagan lasted just 1 1/3 innings after surrendering three hits and five walks that led to six early runs.
The Blue Eagles absorbed their second straight loss, dropping to 1-3 and sliding to solo fifth place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, De La Salle Zobel forced a three-way tie for second place after outlasting National University Nazareth School in 10 innings.
DLSZ, NUNS, and Southridge will all carry identical 2-2 records heading into the second round.
The Junior Green Batters appeared in control early, building a 7-1 lead, but the Bullpups stormed back with a five-run seventh inning and added another in the eighth to knot the contest at 7-all.
With two outs and Juancho Gatmaitan on first in the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Zulueta ripped a double to left field. Gatmaitan gambled and tried to score, but a perfect relay by NUNS cut him down at the plate, giving the Bullpups a walk-off opportunity.
DLSZ pitcher Andrei Valeros, however, kept NUNS scoreless to force extra innings.
In the 10th, the Junior Green Batters regained their composure as Alfonso Alcantara and Aljun Tapia knocked in automatic runners Gatmaitan and Zulueta on shallow singles to give DLSZ a 9-7 lead.
NUNS attempted to walk it off—or at least extend the game—after pinch hitter Steven Alfante laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Orlando Cedillo and John Adriano into scoring position. Kyle Montallana followed with a grounder to right field that brought Cedillo home.
Valeros, however, shut the door by striking out Vhins Adanza and John Plaza to seal the dramatic victory for DLSZ.
“We came sa talo against Ateneo, something similar na hinabol kami, so sabi ko hindi ko papabayaan ito. Kilala ko ang boys ko, kilala rin nila ang sarili nila. Kapag ayaw nilang ibigay, hindi talaga nila ibibigay (ang panalo),” said DLSZ head coach Gil Encarnado Jr.
Amadeus Trozado— the lone player to homer in the first round—led the Junior Green Batters with three hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Valeros was also a presence at the plate, drawing two intentional walks while adding a hit and two RBIs.
On the mound, Valeros was equally impressive. He worked the first 6 2/3 innings before briefly switching positions with shortstop Jan Soriano, then returned to pitch the final 2 1/3 frames, allowing just five hits and striking out 10 batters.
First Game:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateneo | 1 | 1 | 4 | x | x | 6 | 8 | 6 | ||||
| UST | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | x | x | x | 18 | 12 | 3 |
Second Game:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLSZ | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 12 | 9 | |||||||
| NUNS | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
