University of Santo Tomas secured its first win of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball tournament, defeating De La Salle University, 10–6, on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
After a narrow 6–7 loss to the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their opening game, the Golden Sox added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings to rise to a 1–1 win-loss record.
The team now shares a spot atop the standings with DLSU in this tournament, which is held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.
Adamson, meanwhile, holds a 1–0 slate and was facing Ateneo de Manila University at the time of publishing.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST held a precarious two-run lead at 5–3 before adding three hits in the seventh inning to extend the advantage to four.
Marvin Trillana started the rally with a booming single to center field. Ken Madrid followed with a double to left, and Sean De Leon delivered a single down the right-field line, bringing home Erjohn Gallos, Janssen Fernandez, and Madrid.
Another run in the eighth inning — UST’s last at-bat — came off a single by Charlie Belgar, who replaced Ybbrahim Degollacion, scoring John Carlo Beronilla.
“Sabi ko sa mga bata, kayang-kaya naman nila. Na-pressure lang sila nung nakaraang game. So, kung hindi naman sila ma-pressure, kaya nilang mag-deliver. Buti makita naman ang pinapakita ng pitcher at nagkokonekta na kaya nanalo kami,” said long-time head coach Jeff Santiago.
Trillana led UST’s offense with three hits, while Gallos contributed two hits that produced two runs in the first and third innings.
De Leon came off the bench to deliver two RBIs with the single that sealed the win for the Golden Sox.
Irvin Llave anchored the mound for UST with 6.2 strong innings, allowing only two runs and two hits in his first start of the season before handing over to relievers.
Santiago stressed the need for continued improvement, beginning with Wednesday’s game against the University of the Philippines at 7 a.m.
“Marami pang kailangang mag-improve, especially malalakas ang mga susunod na kalaban. Yung pagdating sa pressured situation, bumibigay pa ang mga bata. Gusto ko mas tumibay pa ‘yung loob nila; ‘yun ang gagawan namin ng paraan,” added the seasoned mentor.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
La Salle attempted a late comeback, scoring four runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to a 1–1 record.
Liam De Vera bounced back from his less-than-ideal performance in the previous outing with two hits and two RBIs. Meanwhile, Pio Villamiel matched the production with two of his own.
The Green Batters out-hit the Golden Sox, 13–11, but their pitching staff — five pitchers in total — could not stop the Golden Sox when it mattered most.
La Salle will look to return to winning form when it faces rival Ateneo de Manila University in Wednesday’s third and final game of the series.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLSU | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 1 | ||||||
| UST | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | x | 10 | 11 | 6 |
