Manila: Paref Southridge executed a stunning upset by narrowly defeating the defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a score of 13-11 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 boys' baseball tournament. The match took place on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila, capturing the attention of baseball enthusiasts.
According to Philippines News Agency, Southridge initially gained a significant 9-0 lead. However, the Junior Golden Sox made a remarkable comeback, scoring 11 runs during the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to level the score at 11. This tied position followed Southridge's two-run burst in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Key to Southridge's victory was Luis Chavez, who regained the lead for his team in the bottom of the eighth inning. Chavez doubled down the left-field line, successfully stole third base, and scored on a wild pitch. Further securing the lead, Yano Antonio, positioned at third, executed a double steal with Mio Borja, bringing the score to 13-11.
In a nail-biting conclusion, JC Basa±es demonstrated exceptional skill by shutting down UST in the ninth inning despite the bases being loaded with two outs. With a 1-1 count, he struck out Van Ibabao on the next two pitches, leaving the bases full and sealing the win for Southridge.
Basa±es was instrumental not only in defense by holding UST scoreless over the final 2 and 1/3 innings but also in offense with two hits, which included a double. Concluding the first round, Southridge holds a 2-2 record, placing them in solo third position, following a prior 6-27 loss to National University Nazareth School (NUNS).
UST remains at the top with a 2-1 standing, sharing the position with NUNS, which secured a victory over Ateneo de Manila University with a score of 9-4 in another match.
Southridge coach Bocc Bernardo expressed his sentiments post-match, stating, "No. 1, we shouldn't win like this. We came from two sorry losses. We lost via mercy rule twice, so I told the boys that we're forgetting to have fun and always remember who you are. You were the Palarong Pambansa champions two to three years ago."
In the game against Ateneo, the NUNS Bullpups established a 4-0 lead before Ateneo gained two runs in the seventh inning. NUNS responded robustly in the bottom half, scoring five decisive runs, ensuring victory.
NUNS coach Romar Landicho mentioned, "We'll just keep improving every game. We know we still have a lot to improve as a team so we won't stop." Lauriquez, a standout performer, contributed with two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Pitcher Vhins Adanza displayed commendable skill, allowing just four hits and one earned run over six innings.
Ateneo's Sancho Afuang and Raffy Blaza each contributed two hits, as Ateneo finds itself tied with archrival De La Salle Zobel at a 1-2 record.
