Justine Rosales delivered a crucial hit in the seventh inning, sealing a dominant 13-3, seven-inning victory for University of Santo Tomas against Ateneo de Manila University to wrap up the opening day of the UAAP Season 87 Baseball tournament on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Season 85 MVP ended the game early with a deep shot to right-centerfield, driving in John Reymond Vargas and Alwyn Piñero for a triple.
Rosales then sprinted home on a fielding error by Enzo Montemayor, completing the five-run surge that extended UST’s lead to 10 and triggered the mercy rule.
“Ayan si Rosales — sabi ko sa lahat ng players ko, pinapakuha ko ng isang strike, pero siya may green light siya. Kumbaga, ‘pag nakita mo, tirahin mo na. Ngayon, nakita ko lumagpas ‘yung bola, pinatuloy ko talaga siya,” said long-time head coach Jeff Santiago, recalling the final play that secured UST’s opening win.
He admitted, “Dapat ipapa-hold ko siya sa third base, eh mabilis naman siya, so pinatuloy ko na.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Rosales, the 22-year-old shortstop out of UST High School, led the Golden Sox’s offense with four hits in five at-bats. Piñero was equally impactful on both ends, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate while recording nine putouts in the field.
On the mound, starting pitcher Raniel Carido kept Ateneo in check, allowing just one run in 4.1 innings before handing the ball to Prince Harry Geronimo, who conceded two runs but closed out the game.
With the victory, UST (1-0) will aim for a second straight win when it faces Adamson University (0-1) in Sunday’s third game.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ateneo managed to score in only two innings, with rookie Alfonso Tueres standing out as a bright spot. He reached base twice via walks and later scored in both the third and fifth innings.
Angelo Bernardo was responsible for bringing him home — once on a base hit in the third and again on a fielder’s choice in the fifth.
The Blue Eagles (0-1) will look to bounce back when they take on archrivals De La Salle University Green Batters (0-1) in Sunday’s second game, following the morning match-up between National University and the University of the Philippines at 7:00 AM.
