THE UST Golden Sox suffered a major setback to their final four bid on Thursday after suffering a heart-wrenching 9-10 loss to defending champion DLSU Green Batters during the UAAP Season 86 baseball tournament at the UP Diliman Baseball Field.
UST, which now carries a 4-6 win-loss record, failed to secure a final four slot while DLSU improved to 7-3 to stay on top with the NU Bulldogs.
Despite a strong start with a dominant 4-0 lead in the first inning, UST ultimately could not hold on. The Golden Sox even extended their lead to 5-0 before the Green Batters began chipping away.
DLSU made efforts to narrow the gap, scoring two runs in the third inning and eventually tying the score at 6-all in the seventh.
Tension escalated as the Green Batters took an 8-6 lead in the same inning, but UST refused to throw in the towel.
The Golden Sox mounted a late-game rally in the ninth inning, fueled by clutch hits from Harry Geronimo and Justine Rosales. UST tied the score at 8-all, forcing extra innings.
But UST’s efforts were insufficient to secure the win, as DLSU emerged victorious in the extra frame.
UST coach Jeffrey Santiago remained positive, emphasizing the importance of minimizing errors moving forward.
“Same plans. We plan to prepare the same way we did during the start (of the season). It won’t change. We just have to change our mindset and avoid errors,” Santiago told The Flame.
The Golden Sox’s campaign this season now hinges on the result of the Ateneo Blue Batters vs. UP Fighting Maroons game.
UST will have a chance to stay in contention if the Fighting Maroons lost to the Blue Batters. However, if UP wins, UST will fight off the Diliman squad for a spot in the final four. F
