ARMED WITH international experience, the UST Junior Golden Sox look to pick up where they left off on the diamond six years ago with the same mission — defend their UAAP baseball title.
The España-based squad last ruled the division in Season 82 in 2019 after dethroning the erstwhile champions Ateneo Eaglets. In the following year, however, the tournament was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even without UAAP competition, the program stayed sharp by competing in other leagues, highlighted by a championship run in the inaugural Babe Ruth League Philippines in May 2025 that secured them a berth in the global tournament.
According to UST head coach Jeff Santiago, the young squad’s participation in the U18 Babe Ruth World Series in Florida, USA in August has elevated the roster’s talent.
“Our target is to defend the title… We can see that other schools have prepared well and improved a lot, they also want to be champions, so it’s going to be a good battle,’ Santiago told The Flame.
Despite bowing out of the tournament after facing powerhouse teams from the United States and United Kingdom, the squad gained valuable experience for the upcoming season, the coach added.
“The boys have grown stronger from their experience in Babe Ruth, which gives them an edge compared to the other teams,” he said.
UST is set to kickstart its title defense in UAAP Season 88 against De La Salle-Zobel Junior Green Batters on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The revived high school boys’ baseball tournament will feature five teams, namely, UST, Ateneo, DLSZ, NUNS Bullpups and guest school PAREF Southridge School Admirals. F
