University of the Philippines bounced back in the UAAP Season 88 softball standings, edging out De La Salle University, 2-1, on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The Fighting Maroons were coming off a 5-1 loss to the UST Tiger Softbelles last Tuesday — their first defeat of the tournament, which is also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The setback was especially disappointing for UP, coming just three days after a 6-3 win over defending champion Adamson University.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Ang tumalo sa amin noon ay yung errors namin. I think we had nine errors. Hindi kami mananalo kapag ganoon kadaming error. Kailangan namin bawasan ang errors namin,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan.
“That’s part of the game. Sometimes, yung laro hindi sa iyo. Sabi ko lang sa mga bata, one game at a time nila at ibigay nila yung best nila.”
UP managed nine hits in the contest, but runs were hard to come by as the team left eight of its runners stranded on the bases.
Second-year outfielder Angel Pascual, the Maroons’ lead-off batter, scored both runs in the game. She crossed home plate for the go-ahead run in the third inning on a single to right field by Danica Aquino, then added an insurance run in the fifth inning via a fielder’s choice.
Pascual, Jamm’n Rasco, and Generose Torremocha each finished with two hits apiece.
La Salle threatened in the sixth inning after a throwing error by UP shortstop Aila Subaldo allowed Cassandra Inot to score with just one out.
“Medyo na-rattle kami sa defense sa shortstop namin. Noong nag-timeout ako, kinausap ko lang siya na panindigan niya ’yan kasi puwesto niya ’yan. Wala nang aagaw sa kanya dun sa posisyon niyang ’yan,” Pagkaliwagan recalled.
KC Valino and the rest of the UP defense held firm afterward, securing the Maroons’ fourth win in five games and a provisional lead, as University of Santo Tomas was still facing Ateneo de Manila University at the time of publication.
Valino pitched the entire game, allowing just three hits while striking out four La Salle batters and handing the Lady Batters their third consecutive loss to fall to 1-5.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Laira Silverio took the loss for La Salle, while Tiffany Labargan led their offense with two hits.
Both teams are back in action on Tuesday, with UP looking to repeat against the Lady Falcons at 9:00 AM, followed by La Salle taking on archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles at 11:00 AM.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLSU | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||||||
| UP | 1 | 1 | X | 2 | 9 |
